SmallGovTimes.com

By: Steve Adcock | Published on 02/05/08    

As the results of the Super Tuesday primary elections looms in the distance, I wanted to take a look at how much money the current front runners are prepared to spend to obtain the power and influence that almost any politician dreams of at night.

The Democrats first, Hillary Clinton has spent $80,353,785 through the fourth quarter of 2007. Barack Obama has spent just a hair more, at $85,176,289 through the fourth quarter. Among those who dropped out of the race, John “Two Americas” Edwards spent a whopping $36 million, Bill Richardson $12 million, Chris Dodd $9 million and Joe Biden $9 million.

Among the Republicans, Mitt Romney blows away his competition with $87,644,955, easily surpassing all other remaining Republicans combined. John McCain has spent $39,145,649, Ron Paul $20,380,121 and Mike Huckabee only $7 million. Among those who have dropped out, Rudy Giuliani spent $48 million, Fred Thompson $19 million, Tom Tancredo $3 million and Duncan Hunter $1 million.

It is truly amazing the lengths that our politicians will go, and the fortunes they will spend, for power and influence in America. Sadly, for the lone exception of Ron Paul, all current candidates on both sides of the aisle propose a net increase in government expenditures, according to the National Taxpayer's Union, ranging from increases in the several billions to just shy of $300 billion.

In essence, our politicians are spending money to obtain the highest position in government, where they will continue to spend money. Only this time, it is the taxpayer's money, not their own. Out of the current front runners (Clinton, Obama, Romney and McCain), the candidates have spent a grand total of more than $291 million to become President of the United States.

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