The American Dream: A Game for the Wealthy?

As the Republican convention kicks off, showcasing President George W. Bush's bid for re-election, the reality of becoming president in the United States has become increasingly tied to wealth and financial backing. With the cost of presidential campaigns soaring to almost $1 billion, candidates from affluent backgrounds, such as Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry, have a significant advantage over their less well-off counterparts. Despite the US Constitution's provisions for becoming president - being a "natural-born" American citizen, at least 35 years old, and having lived in the US for 14 years - the actual path to the White House is fraught with financial hurdles.

Key Takeaways:

• The cost of 21st-century presidential campaigns has reached almost $1 billion.
• Candidates from affluent backgrounds, such as President George W. Bush and John Kerry, have a significant advantage in terms of financial backing.
• Michael McDonald, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, emphasizes that funding is the most crucial factor in a successful presidential campaign.
• As of last month, the official figures showed President Bush's campaign had raised $243 million and spent $209 million, while Senator Kerry had raised $304 million and spent $182 million.
• A further $212 million in soft money had been raised by both camps, more than double the amounts raised by previous presidential campaigns.
• The US Constitution does not state that massive funding is necessary to become president, but rather sets other eligibility requirements.
• Analysts note that the implication of the American dream - that anyone can become president - is not strictly true, as financially well-to-do candidates with powerful connections are more likely to succeed.
• Running a presidential campaign requires enormous amounts of money, years of planning, and significant capital to build networks and train campaign workers across 50 states.
• Candidates must also possess the ambition, energy, and intelligence to communicate with voters and understand national issues.
• David King, a political scientist at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, believes that candidates need to be "political contortionists" to appeal to party bases and traditional voters.

Statistics:

• The cost of 21st-century presidential campaigns: almost $1 billion.
• President Bush's campaign raised: $243 million.
• Senator Kerry's campaign raised: $304 million.
• Total amount spent by President Bush's campaign: $209 million.
• Total amount spent by Senator Kerry's campaign: $182 million.
• Amount in soft money raised by both camps: $212 million.
• Time period since the US Constitution was established: over two centuries.
• Number of years a candidate must have lived in the US to be eligible: 14 years.
• Age requirement for becoming president: at least 35 years old.

Sources:

• The American dream is that anyone can become president, but the reality is that getting into the White House is a game for the wealthy. (The American Prospect)
• The cost of 21st-century presidential campaigns approaches US$1 billion. (The American Prospect)
• Michael McDonald, a visiting fellow with the liberal Brookings Institution, said personality, connections and a nationwide organisational structure were essential pre-requisites to run for president. (The American Prospect)
• Official figures showed Mr Bush's campaign had raised US$243 million and spent $209 million. Senator Kerry had raised $304 million and spent $182 million. A further $212 million in soft money had been raised by both camps. (The American Prospect)
• The election war chests, more than double the amounts raised by previous campaigns for the presidency, set a dizzying benchmark for future contenders - even though the US constitution does not say that massive funding is necessary to attain the post. (The American Prospect)
• The candidate must be nominated by a national political party's convention and be elected by a majority vote of the Electoral College in the December following the general election in November. (The American Prospect)
• Analysts said running a campaign took enormous amounts of money. Years of planning and much capital were necessary to build networks to train campaign workers in all 50 states. (The American Prospect)
• David King, a political scientist at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, believed candidates needed to be "political contortionists". (The American Prospect)