Political consultants make out like the bandits they are

Do we need more proof of the need for campaign finance reform?

From Capitol Hill Blue:

Almost half the nearly $4 billion spent on the U.S. presidential and congressional election campaigns two years ago went to consultants offering media advice and other services, a public interest watchdog group said on Tuesday.

Candidates for president, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and political groups spent about $1.78 billion on 600 professional consultants during the 2004 federal election, said the Center for Public Integrity, which conducted a study of campaign spending.

Two-thirds of the $1.78 billion went for media consultants who provide strategic political advice, produce advertising and buy air time, the study found.

President Bush spent more than $343 million to win re-election in 2004 with more than 68 percent going to consultants. The Democrat he defeated, Sen. John Kerry, spent nearly $300 million, just over half on such advisers.

The center's Wendell Rawls said the fees are fueling the skyrocketing cost of federal elections and candidates this year are spending about 12 percent more.

It took about $7 million to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2004 and $1 million to win a House seat, 11 times more than in 1976, he said. During the same period, the cost of living rose three fold.