by Lorie Grant DeWorken

Created on: July 18, 2007   Last Updated: March 19, 2008

Without a doubt, current election campaigns have gotten out of control. They favor those with money or access to it - an elite group. There are intelligent, passionate, service-minded people out there who could serve their country in an elected position. However, if the money isn't there, it just won't happen.

Candidates spend an astronomical amount of money trying to outdo the competition and get the attention of the electorate. It hasn't always been this way, but a few things have contributed to the current state of things.

The electorate has become much more distracted over the years. So much competes for our attention now and we are inclined to give in to the distraction. We are not as interested or invested in campaigns and elections. Many of us have become disenfranchised, often feeling like our vote or our opinions don't make much of a difference anyway.

Additionally, the cost of advertising has gone up - way up. I spent the better part of ten years as a media planner at an advertising agency - buying time on television and radio, space in magazines, newspapers and internet for my clients. Many media offer discounted "political rates" for campaign season. These are the lowest rates the media outlet can offer but even these rates can be expensive. I saw rates go up just in the years I bought media. Advertising budgets that were once quite adequate just don't compete anymore.

Not only does it cost more to get ads on all the "best" TV networks and publications but it costs to get the best ads too. No more simple ads showing a nice picture of the candidate with some text giving us a summary of what he's all about. Ads have become much more sophisticated. The "sophisticated", media-savvy electorate will hardly look at a candidate who cannot provide ads that meet the high standards we've come to expect in our advertising.

So all of this means that the candidates with serious money are the only ones with real access to today's elections. Could we change this trend? Sure. And campaign reform is trying to change some of this. Ultimately though, I think the government, the candidates and the country would be better off limiting the funds allowed in a campaign and putting everyone on a level playing field.

This could be incredibly valuable in judging candidates! On a level playing field, how will each candidate manage the money they're allowed to spend? Which one will have the best strategy? Candidates who can navigate public relations, advertising, politics and the

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