Campaign money

[senorpogo]

So it costs a ridiculous amount to run a campaign for political office in the US of A.

My question - where does all that money go? Who ends up pocketing the majority of that scratch? I'm guessing large chunks go for advertising and travel, but that's just a guess. Does anyone know of even a basic statistical breakdown of where the money goes for an "average" campaign for public office?

 

[Elizabeth I]

Well, Harry Reid uses it to give Christmas bonuses to the staff at his condo:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid paid cash for a $750,000 condo at the Ritz-Carlton where he lives. But when he gave Christmas bonuses to the doorman and other support staff, he used campaign donations instead of his own money.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-17-reid-christmas-bonuses_x.htm

 

[Questioninggeller]

Well, Harry Reid uses it to give Christmas bonuses to the staff at his condo:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid paid cash for a $750,000 condo at the Ritz-Carlton where he lives. But when he gave Christmas bonuses to the doorman and other support staff, he used campaign donations instead of his own money.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-17-reid-christmas-bonuses_x.htm

So Reid spent $3,300 in campaign funds to pay staff, which he said he cleared with his lawyer, but will pay back if need be. (I wonder why they mentioned how much his condo cost...) Speaking of canidates with tax issues and the Senate, Bob Corker will not release his tax information.

I believe the serious issue here is things like Rove promising to spend $100 million dollars in the last 21 days of the election.