Marco Rubio seems like a decent fellow. He has a grasp of issues. At the hullabaloo of a debate on CNN, he spoke in a confident manner and sounded more presidential than others, even a little Kennedyesque.
An Associated Press story datelined Washington, D.C., a couple of days ago questioned who is financing much of Rubio’s candidacy, and he was benefiting in unprecedented ways from a nonprofit group funded by anonymous donors. While not alone in such a financial track, the Rubio arrangement is a few levels bolder than others.
Campaign finance law does prevent candidates from directing how anonymously-funded groups spend their money to support a campaign. However, it is no accident that whatever is done occurs in a way that is conducive.
Each of the others, save Donald Trump, has the advantage of similar groups. Trump claims he has turned down millions, which may or may not true with the anonymity factor. To borrow a descriptive term from Carl Sagan, Trump claims he has billions and billions of dollars, and is willing to spend what is necessary to win the Republican nomination.
On the other side, the loss of financial support was much the reason why Rick Perry exited early.
The sad truth today is that winning election, at any level of state and national significance, is outrageously expensive. Sad, because it precludes many who know they can’t raise the funds necessary to compete.
Could someone, as did Jimmy Carter, essentially come from nowhere and win on the biggest stage? Barack Obama comes to mind in his initial run seven years ago. Though, he had the advantage of an oratorical presence that was right for the time; triggered use of the Internet and social media in a manner never seen before; and intrigued independents and young voters, many new to the process. Three years ago Mitt Romney tried to be someone he wasn’t, and failed to generate much enthusiasm in the Republican core.
This cycle’s election is an interesting race, with more serious candidates on the GOP side than has been seen in a lifetime, and a Democrat field that may — or may not — at some point include a sitting vice president.
WHEN THE markers are all counted, money may not have the final say, but you can bet your bottom dollar oddsmakers — in Washington, Las Vegas and everywhere else — will look closely at who’s able to hit the right buttons on fundraising as decision-making time becomes imminent, several months hence.
— Bob Johnson
