Click the image for the full sized version.
Even though 87% of Americans agree that corruption is the most important challenge our next president will face, neither candidate has made it their issue, and we expect tonight’s debate to be no different. While Barack Obama and Mitt Romney square off on some of the most divisive topics of domestic policy, we want you to see how they measure up on the issue upon which all others depend: the corrupting influence of money in politics.
Our third infographic in the Capital in the Capitol series compares the sources of revenue upon which the candidates depend in their race to the oval office. The numbers are a crucial reminder that the candidates don’t have to talk about money this election—the money talks for them.
Perhaps neither Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney want to speak out about our government’s crippling dependence on special interest cash because both of their campaigns hinge on it. Contrary to what some might suspect, Barack Obama’s campaign has raised more money than Mitt Romney’s campaign. However, Romney’s super PAC has collected nearly four times as much money as Obama, whose primary source of election money is direct contributions.
But there are differences in who’s funding the candidates, and just because they won’t talk about it doesn’t mean we can’t. While the candidates talk about their stand on various issues of domestic policy, their campaigns will tell a different story: As long as politicians need tons of money to run for office, they’ll be indebted to the few who can afford to give it to them.
We know who’s paying for the president. Do you?
Showing 140 reactions
There is one other even darker source of money, it is hardly tracked. Non-Profit groups with vague names can donate and they do NOT even have to disclose the source. They have donated more than 70 million this election cycle mostly to Romney. This includes “Crossroads GPS” and “Americans for Prosperity”.

