An alternate take on why it's hard to be a Democrat

[jpgray]

To run a successful campaign in a competitive election for a federal office, it is necessary to vacuum up excess money from citizens in large amounts. You will spend much of your time dealing with people who have excess money and hearing their point of view. The ideals of the party, traditionally, are to represent those groups who have absolutely no excess money whatsoever. You want to do right by these people, but you are paying a stable of campaign consultants who are all busy telling you that unless you get elected, you aren't doing anything for anyone--so hit the phones.

GOP candidates have to deal only with the first part of that. I'm posting this as neither an excuse nor a charge of explicit corruption, just that there's a significant tension between those facts. From a mercenary point of view, the way we run our elections and finance campaigns makes concern for those without the means to din their problems daily in your ears at $10,000 a plate seem like a complete waste of time.

[Hippo_Tron]

1. You've summed it up in a nutshell

BTW, there's a false perception that people running for office actually enjoy grubbing for money all day. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trying to get candidates to stay on the phone is often like trying to get kids to eat steamed broccoli.

Al Franken wrote a great piece about this when he ran for Senate. Everybody should give it a read, if they haven't.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-franken/if-you-ever-wonder-whethe_b_50344.html

[jpgray]

7. That is a great piece!

I think if the public were aware of how so many elected officials spend their day, a push for reform would receive more support.

[Tumbulu]

2. Good summary- and a big part of the problem (nt)

[JNelson6563]

3. Publicly funded campaigns are the answer.

[jpgray]

8. But how do we get from here to there?

The legislation has to come from those who by definition rose to prominence through the current system--many aren't happy about it, but come campaign time the best fundraisers, even if they are opposed to campaign financing as it is, will find it difficult to give up the advantage. Particularly incumbents will find it hard to lay down their natural advantage over opponents in fundraising as holders of elected office.

[YellowCosmicSun]

4. Why not just give up if you believe everything is bought and paid for?

[Scuba]

5. You forgot the sarcasm thingy...

[YellowCosmicSun]

6. I thought it was thick enough already.

[saras]

9. Dems have had decades to fight the buyout of politics, and took the money instead. NOW they whine.

[11 Bravo]

10. The fact that I would find it impossible to be a Republican makes it extremely easy ...

for me to be a Democrat.