When you take a look at the USA Election Polls website, you get a good indicator how the candidates are fairing in the arena of public opinion. In a mock up of a national primary posted on that site, you can see that John McCain who started out with an impressive 30% in March of this year would only rake in a dismal 13% of the votes if the primary were held in August. Barack Obama, whom many have watched as a serious contender for the democratic nomination also lost some gains made earlier in the year. While in March of 2007 he looked like he might have a chance at overtaking Hillary Clinton with 31% to 34%, at this point in August he has slid back to 21% versus her 36%.
The candidates seek to endear themselves to the voter via campaign stops, televised debates, stickers and buttons that will be given away, and a myriad of other photo ops. All of this costs money, and according to the FEC (Federal Election Commission) there are some tidy sums being spent. Consider that the former First Lady through 06-30-07 raised $63,075,926 and of that spent $17,849,094 while Mr. Obama thus far raised $58,913.134 while he spent $22,649.445. Weighing expenses versus results, the latter will need to reevaluate if the money he is spending is indeed netting him the results he is looking for. Compared to these two democratic powerhouses, John McCain is a virtual babe in the woods with only raising $24,648.603 through June 30th of 2007 and spending $21,926.630.
> View the online archive of the latest 2008 presidential polls.
