Does high fundraising decide the Presidential race in the US?

Hard to conjecture but in the face of recent reports, this certainly seems to be the case. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, should you want to race ahead of your rivals to become the candidate for the US president’s post from your party, you need to raise more funds than your competitors. If this be the sole mantra to success on the election polls, then Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama appear to be head and shoulders above the rest of their Democrat challengers. Mrs. Clinton, wife of the former US President Bill Clinton of course, and Obama, who could well be the first black President of the United States, have been reported to have amassed about $17 million each before the fundraising quarter ended on Sunday night. Mrs. Clinton is the most likely candidate from the Democrats for the President’s job but Obama is firmly trailing her on her heels and breathing heavily down her neck. The two other Democrat candidates have been upbeat about their chances despite recording somewhat low fundraising success. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has reported that he has raised some $5.2 million in the past three months while former senator John Edwards is expected to have conjured up around $7 million for the quarter. Like their Democrat counterparts, the Republican candidates to displace Mr. George W Bush too have been busy for the pat three funds in raising funds for their election campaigns although they have met with relatively less success than the Republicans candidates. Fundraising in the US is held as a key issue in deciding who is elected from the respective parties for the Presidential elections and the contributions made by the people to their favourite candidates do reveal which person they next want to see at the helm of American politics. Image Source: Jones Report Source: Washington Post