Common wisdom says that the candidate who spends the most money will win the election.
According to Stephen Leavitt, in his book "Freakonomics," the most physically attractive and charismatic candidate raises the most money, therefore spends the most money. And he will win the election. An unattractive, uncharismatic candidate will NOT win the election, no matter how much he spends.
Campaigns are expensive. Records sums were spent by Mark Sumsion and George Stewart two years ago in their race for Provo City Council. Four years ago, Steve Turley raised, and spent, a small fortune to defeat incumbant Stan Lockhart. This year promises to be even worse.
The questions of development and zoning in Provo have made the stakes very high, and some of the stakeholders, the developers and realtors, are anxious to fund the candidates whom they believe are sympathetic to their interests -- Midge Johnson and Steve Turley. The Utah County Board of Realtors has been especially generous to them in the past.
A single lawn sign, the smallest available, costs about $1.50. Larger signs cost $25. A small ad in the Daily Herald will run several hundred dollars, and a bulk mailing of campaign brochures runs in the thousands.
So, can an election be bought? Even in Provo? Are the voters no more discerning than that? Do people really NOT pay attention to the issues and the voting records? Are they just swayed by the image, which can be manufactured?
We'll see.
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The 2006 elections brought forth one of the "best" looking candidates in a long time, John Tinsley. He definitely had the best hair. He raised the most money and openly was the wealthiest. Keith Grover was campaigned as a School Administrator raised lots of money after John Tinsley was tossed out on his ear at the Republican convention. Garr Judd was a very nice man who was targeted by a select few working for his opponents and he was the peoples choice until the nasty attackes were launched.
Good looks win elections? Nope, Keith Grover won.
That election was won with carefully timed lies.
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