RE: Introduction Questions

[David Wilkinson <dwilkinson@nisdc.org>]

Rod really provided a clear example of part of the reality of politics today.  I wonder how far back in our history that desire by interest groups not to offend the incumbents goes?

I participanted as an insider in an election to reform county government.  Polling 3 months ahead of the election showed voters supported the change by two to one.  We had a budget of $500,000, mainly from the business community.  The opposiiton raised around $30,000.  On election day, it was defeated two to one, a complete turn around.

It is easier to run against a topic that is complicated, but an overwhelming money advantage was ineffective.  Our funds were used to pay fairly expensive "public relations/advertising" fees and lots of televsion.  The opponents organized a very effective grass-roots oriented campaign and very effectively made use of free media via the newspaper and the news.

This experience leads me to conclude that money, a powerful influence, is not everything.  Solving the issues around money in politics is not likely to solve the bigger issue of why don't our citizens vote and participate in the process at higher rates.