Monday, 30 November 2009
Is There Such Thing As Too Much Money?
Normally, I would bet on the candidate who significantly out raises an opponent in a political election. But I have to wonder if too much money might be a problem in a special election. Apparently Democrat Jodie Haydon has raised an astronomical amount of money for a special election. Much of it coming from special interests.
Lower voter turnout also means that voters are more likely to read the news and follow the election. Plastering your message everywhere won't necessarily pay big dividends because the ads will be less effective with those who actually vote. Unlike a general election where a big percentage of people who vote are less informed, these will be a more educated electorate.
On top of that, most of the voters will be aware of the money that Haydon has raised. I think they might ask the question why he needs so much money? Who is he going to be indebted too after the election?
Personally, I don't think the election will be won with money. It will be won by the GOTV efforts of each campaigns. Something that both candidates have enough money to do effectively. I would give a slight edge to GOTV for the Republican because he already is an elected official and has a team in place. The Democrat is going to have to rebuild his team. Time will tell.
Haydon, a former Bardstown state representative who supports allowing video slot machines at racetracks, reported raising $333,455 through Nov. 23, including more than $45,000 from the horse industry. That does not include $212,794 in “in kind” services such as television advertising and polling purchased for the campaign by the Kentucky Democratic Party.When Haydon spends over a half million dollars on the special election he will shatter the spending records for a state senate race in Kentucky. In a general election he would have a huge advantage. See Ms. King for an example of money buying an election. But this is a special election. Voter turnout will be minimal regardless of the amount of money spent.The total of $546,249 is more than four times the $131,499 raised by Higdon, who opposes expanded gambling without a public vote.
Lower voter turnout also means that voters are more likely to read the news and follow the election. Plastering your message everywhere won't necessarily pay big dividends because the ads will be less effective with those who actually vote. Unlike a general election where a big percentage of people who vote are less informed, these will be a more educated electorate.
On top of that, most of the voters will be aware of the money that Haydon has raised. I think they might ask the question why he needs so much money? Who is he going to be indebted too after the election?
Personally, I don't think the election will be won with money. It will be won by the GOTV efforts of each campaigns. Something that both candidates have enough money to do effectively. I would give a slight edge to GOTV for the Republican because he already is an elected official and has a team in place. The Democrat is going to have to rebuild his team. Time will tell.
Posted by at 9:50 PM in Kentucky Politics
