No matter that John Edwards (probably) best represents Michigan’s problems and the solutions to those problems. He’ll lose in Michigan as he lost in Iowa and NH, because the most expensive speech the nation has seen to date will not let him be heard. We (and Michigan) are only allowed to hear the best speech money can buy.
On the Republican side, Michiganders (what’s good for the Michigoose is good for the Michigander) will hear Mitt Romney boast his Michigan roots. Not to worry that he got the hell out as soon as he could leave that wounded state of his birth behind, his $70 million or so (20 of it out of his own pocket) will drown everyone but Rudy and John McCain. McCain only because he’s waxing instead of waning—money-wise.
Major contributors are afraid Mitt and Rudy are unelectable and suddenly this election looks like it might actually be a horse-race. So money is suddenly flowing to McCain and with money, he can win (at least the nomination). So think the Republican influence peddlers, anyway. And hey, if John loses, he’s still a very powerful Senator. Money like that is always very well spent.
In case you haven’t noticed, ditto Hillary and Barack.
Which leaves you and I, Joe Biden, Mike Huckabee, Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul and the other poor slobs who stand in the rain to vote, with choices made by others. Limited choice. Choice devoted to the status quo.
Particularly the quo.
Don’t blame Thomas Jefferson, he was operating in the days of pamphleteering on the streets and bar-room oratory. Don’t blame Rupert Murdoch, who’s just working by the rules God, his lawyers and his lobbyists gave him. Don’t even blame Chief Justice Roberts or Justices Souter, Alito or Thomas; this misinterpretation began long before they were on board.
But it is a misinterpretation.
The freedom to buy as much speech as you are able to pay for is in no way the same as free speech. The ability to swift-boat John Kerry is perhaps the easiest and most egregiously false-flagged example I can come up with.
But if you are a supporter of Mike Huckabee or Joe Biden, know that your access to what they have to say has been taken from you.
Not by a wiser voice, but a louder one.
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Media comment;
- Fox News--Giuliani opposes tapping personal cash for campaign
- Newsweek-Who’s Got the Money?
- New York Times-Clinton Campaign Builds Post-Feb. 5 War Chest
- Guardian Unlimited-UK-Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail
- Washington Post-Cloudy Fortunes for Conservatism
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