Most Expensive Midterm Election Ever—But Such Small Portions of Democracy

Brian Doherty | October 24, 2006

The Center for Responsive Politics says $2.6 billion will be spent by congressional (both House and Senate) candidates in this year's midterm election--a record (for midterm elections).

Of course, all third party candidates together (minus Joe Leiberman) have spent only $3.1 million of that.

If this year's record spending can prevent even one "we say we take democracy seriously, but we spend more on peanut butter/oil changes/shoe repair/tap dance lessons/Bazooka Joe collectibles than we do on elections" story, than it's money well spent.