Our Voice
Presidential campaigns are too expensive
The 2012 presidential campaigns have captured the attention of Americans and many nations.
Only one thing can drive the force of publicity and extreme exposure—money.
So far, campaigns has amassed $176.5 million in contributions, according to the Federal Election Commission.
FEC records show that in 2008, presidential candidates spent $1.7 billion. In 2004, they spent $673.9 million.
Campaign spending will no doubt increase as the election draws near this year.
Millions and in some cases billions of dollars are financing advertisements, appearances, travel expenses, etc.
Imagine what the money could be used on besides a handful of American candidates fighting for the presidency.
According to Americans for Informed Democracy, you could save 463,636 birth mothers’ lives with a birthing kit if you were to use campaign funds from 2008. The group One Laptop Per Child says 4,657 kids could be given a laptop for school using the presidential campaign funds from 2008. Twenty-four families could be supplied a brand new house donated by Habitat for Humanity.
Needless to say, there are better ways to use campaign funds than on massive advertising campaigns.
Understandably, because Untied States has a population of over 312 million people, it would take a lot of advertising and public relations of presidential candidates to reach the ears of every American, according to the U.S Census Bureau.
Other than raising funds individually, the candidates should reach the population through other methods that are more cost effective.
In this day and age, social media is a huge captivator of our society. It also is the cheapest and most effective marketing tool there is to date. With over 800 million Facebook users and over 100 million Twitter users, social media has the fastest outreach to millions of users. Also, because the presidential campaign is a huge topic within massive media outlets, candidates can use free publicity through the media without needing large amounts of funding from contributors.
According to FEC, Georgia contributed thus far over $2.6 million to the 2012 presidential campaign while in 2008, Georgia contributed over $21 million.
Georgia has a 58-percent graduation rate for students within the University System of Georgia, according to Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget. HOPE funding has had $300 million cut from the Georgia Lottery.
If Georgians would donate their presidential campaign funding to the HOPE scholarship it would alleviate some cuts on students tuition. The more we empower the newer generation, the stronger our future leaders will be, empowering our country.
Individual campaign contributions are the leading presidential funding source. This election has raked in $148.1 million of individual contributions so far while in 2008 individual contributions were over $1.3 billion.
We at The Colonnade are not downsizing the importance of presidential elections. Choosing the future leader of our country is very important, but there are cheaper, more strategic ways to use campaign money.
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