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Introduction
Washingtonpost.com Staff Monday, September 15, 1997
Part 1: Campaign finance is a confusing topic in many ways. But it is money which, arguably, determines the very basics of our democracy: Who runs, who wins, and how they govern. The amount of money needed to win a federal election these days -- most notably, the presidency -- is enormous. The Clinton and Dole campaigns spent about $232 million in the 1996 campaign cycle -- supplemented by about $69 million in "issue ads" paid for by the Republican and Democratic national committees. Across the country, Election '96 cost about $2.7 billion, the costliest ever.
Perhaps more than anything, it takes an awful lot of money to buy television and radio ads -- which are virtually mandatory for any national political campaign and for many local and statewide ones as well.
In congressional campaigns, the amounts are smaller, but money generally plays a huge role. Big coffers scare away challengers; advertising can swing races. As a result, members of Congress spend a lot of time and energy -- and money -- raising funds for their next election. © Copyright 1997 Digital Ink Company Go to Campaign Finance Report | Go to National Section
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