Why doesn't money matter more in elections?

[LAS14]

PA 18 isn't the first time the loser way, way out spent the winner. Don't get me wrong. I'm delighted that this is true. But it's a puzzle. Does big money have detectably more ads on TV and radio? Or do they get saturated early on. If so, where does all that money go? Not to any effective place, apparently.

tia
las

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. My question is why money matters so much in elections?

Why are people to gullible? Why do fear ads and slime ads move the needle?

To me, it is quite an indictment of us as a species that tons of money can be dumped into a process that essentially overrides the truth.

I know...I am way too idealistic.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It's because most people aren't that invested into politics

so they have to grab their attention at the right moment to leave an impression.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. agreed - I am too idealistic that people would pay attention to that which impacts them!

[BumRushDaShow]

4. They think it's a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing

but some of us know better.

[bearsfootball516]

5. Passion is stronger than money.

For most people, when they truly believe something, they can't be swayed. Good example is the 2012 election. Romney FAR outspend Obama in advertising, but Obama still walloped him. Why? The voters who liked him truly believed that he was the best option, and no amount of Romney TV ads or yard signs was going to change that.