I think your numbers are a little overstated

[thewayne]

"I used to be 100% loved. Now I'm probably 55% loved."
—Donald Trump

Just a hunch, mind you.

The biggest problem, in my ever so humble opinion, is that the Republicans have started campaigning so early. Even though they have billionaire backers, thanks to Citizens United, they can't afford to campaign this long. Trump totally screws their numbers because he can pretty much single-handedly outspend the entire field of wannabees. Even if Trump had not announced I think they would have been in trouble.

I have no doubt that this will be the most expensive presidential election to date.

Comments

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Amd what a waste of money that is!

[cp.livejournal.com]

I forget where, but I read a good point the other day. The reason there are so many GOP candidates this year is because of how much big money from individual donors is flooding the system. Used to be, in order to mount a campaign, you had to start small and build a network and a campaign apparatus and all that. Nowadays, all you have to do is find a single billionaire--or BE a single billionaire--whose views align closely with your own. A huge check or two later, you're in the race.

And that's even true on the Democratic side, though not as flagrantly, of course. Most of Hillary's warchest is still coming from banks, law firms, and other special interest groups.

There's only one exception to this rule among major candidates, and he's sure as hell got my vote. #FeelTheBern

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

Seems to me that starting out big with lots of money behind you will just increase the rate that you burn through it, compared to starting small and growing.

Yeah, we do like Bernie! He'll definitely get our votes if he makes it to the primary.

[silveradept]

Expensive and useless, as each candidate mines the very bottom of the barrel to find something new to feed the media machine so they can stay in the public consciousness for another week. Trump, on the other hand, knows enough and owns enough airtime that he can basically do it for free, which allows him to run at the mouth casually uncensored.