Arms race

From Raleigh News & Observer


That's not thunder you hear in the race for the United States Senate between incumbent Republican Richard Burr and Democratic nominee Elaine Marshall. It's more of a loud rustle, as the candidates shake the money trees that might yield the millions of dollars it takes to win an election these days, particularly a statewide one.
So far, Burr's fruit has fallen in more abundance. Thanks to his incumbency, and to his favored-nation status with special interests connected to the drug and insurance industries, the senator recently had about $6 million in his campaign coffers (it probably has increased by now). Marshall's a relative pauper, with her treasure chest at a fraction of that. She has, of course, been helped by independent groups who have spent handsomely attacking Burr, including one television commercial featuring a make-believe Burr being dragged from an oil-soaked body of water (illustrating what are alleged to be his ties to big oil).
The truth is, this should be a pretty interesting race. Both candidates have held statewide office for some time. And there could not be a race with a more clear philosophical divide, Burr's free-market GOP philosophy versus Marshall's more traditional Democratic views.
Unfortunately, the differential in money may wind up being a deciding factor in the race, and is that something that's really good for the people of North Carolina? Should we really want a campaign wherein cash carries the day?
In the coming weeks, we are going to see a bombardment of advertising, and many fundraising events that will be well-attended by special interest groups. This will happen with both candidates, who'll be dialing for dollars until the last days.
And yet, Congress continues to shy away from real campaign finance reform (and the Supreme Court upended reform that did try to limit corporate cash and union contributions) or to champion public financing, everywhere. In meantime, special interests come through loud and clear to candidates eager for their money. The public's interests seem to be muffled by all that rustling.