Reply #7: Why does the amount of money raised matter at all?

[porphyrian]

We're told over and over that a candidate has to raise a whole lot of money to get elected, but is that really the truth? Do you vote for a candidate based on how much money they raise? Does anyone? Fundraisers are seldom attended by anyone other than the rich and the press any more, with maybe the exception of the organization whose building they use for it. The corporate media's message has already been bought and paid for, so you're not going to buy favor with them at this point. And if that's the only place the majority of voters get their information, why should any Democrat other than Senator Clinton and maybe Senator Obama bother?

Just like weddings, campaigns have turned into a monstrous overpriced pocket-stuffing industry, and we're being lied to about its necessity to secure the profits of all those involved.