Legitimate methods of campaign funding

[croppyboy]

Listening to Q&A last night it was easy to tell many of the audience (and that journalist) had never ran an election campaign.

There was much scorn poured upon political donations and the myriad ways they can trickle through into accounts..

But it got me thinking. Running any kind of campaign costs money. A candidate with no access to capital has to run a campaign at the same level as the multi-millionaire to have a chance. There are no spending limits at local elections. Even in GE the limits are quite high if an individual is expected to raise the finance themselves. And there is all the subterfuge to spend money before the election is called. Basically the more money spent on campaigning the better chance of success. This has been proven in international studies also.

At the moment the system completly discriminates in favour of wealthy individuals. Is the only hope for a poor individual to solicit/accept donations from whomever they can attract? As it would take a hell of a lot of table quizzes to make a war chest.

Or how is a candidate supposed to raise this money?!

[NeilW]

Is the only hope for a poor individual to solicit/accept donations from whomever they can attract?

Surely the best solution is for appropriate spending limits.

[croppyboy]

Is the only hope for a poor individual to solicit/accept donations from whomever they can attract?

Surely the best solution is for appropriate spending limits.

I tend to agree. They should be implemented for locals as well as generals. Some of the spending in the 04 locals was shocking. And better checks should be applied on spending prior to election being called.

[QuizMaster]

During an election, the media have to give equal time to each candidate or party. They are very scrupulous about this to the point where it can get ridiculous, but I suppose err on the side of caution.

If we agree there is good cause for this, then surely there should be equal advertising time and space given to each party too?

[NeilW]

then surely there should be equal advertising time and space given to each party too?

Why give them any?

[cain1798]

During an election, the media have to give equal time to each candidate or party.

No they don't. RTE have to ensure their time is allocated to the various parties in proportion to their Dáil political strength or the vote at the last election, can't remember which off-hand.

[The Earl of Desmond]

There is no reason why a candidate can't pay for a decent campaign if they are in a party - no reaso nwhy a constituency can't raise at least 20k a year if it has a decent amount of members and over five years that is a decent amount ie if you have 200 members they pay €15 a month = €3000 x 12 = €36,000 a year x 5 = €180k!!!!!

But whther they should need so much is another point.

No they shouldn't and the limits are ridiculous. Mosto f the moeny is wasted. Candidates should all be given exactly the same space for their posters etc in a central spot as in France regardless of how much support they have. Ban all this fly postering and leaflets and rubbish like that.