If money talks, who’s speaking in New Hampshire elections? Splaine

New Hampshire's U.S. Senate candidates will raise and spend tens of millions of dollars on November's midterm elections. Gubernatorial and Congressional candidates' costs will go over two, three million each.  And that's just in our small state. Candidates in larger states will raise and spend upwards of a hundred million for the same positions.  

You could buy a lot of housing and schools with that.  

Just where does all that money go? Where's it come from? Why is so much of it hidden?  How do the candidates get it? What do those who donate expect to get? Can we stop it? 

Who's on first?  News media promote headlines about candidates who are collecting the most money. It's as if who gets the most is somehow better. Raising the most money might not tell us the kind of officer-holder they'll be, but it may be indicative of the kind of politician they are.  

A wonderful New Hampshire woman who passed away 15 years ago this coming March 9th, six weeks after her 100th birthday, walked across the nation to bring awareness of money in politics. At the age of 90, Doris "Granny D" Haddock began her journey in California on January 1, 1999. On February 29, 2000 she arrived in the U.S. Capitol, after walking 3,200 miles advocating for campaign finance reform. 

More: Beloved 'Granny D' dies at 100

I got to know Granny D well while sponsoring legislation she fought for in the N.H. Legislature with Sen. Martha Fuller Clark and other local representatives. Those discussions heightened the need for more awareness about where political campaign money comes from.

Where does all that money come from?  And how do candidates get it? Lobbyists for special interests, contractors, bankers, lawyers, military armament dealers (those wars waste tens of billions of dollars for weapons) and many others want to be sure their political friends win elections. Nowadays, even people who want pardons may be in the mix. 

Why is so much of that money hidden? Much of the money "donated" to political campaigns is hidden, or is at least very difficult to trace. Can it buy an election? Sure it can.  And what do people who contribute expect to get? Influence, at the least.  Sometimes those donations result in pet projects to make their companies a bit richer.  

Where does all that money go? Campaign money goes to the visible elements of campaigns − fancy television advertisements, brochures mailed to us, and signs.  All those thousands of signs.  

But all spending isn't so obvious.  Campaign management staff, advertising consultants, and polling professionals to tell us what we want to hear. And campaign donations pay for transportation of staff and hotel rooms, offices, computers, telephones.  And all those pizza parties held for volunteers. 

Can we stop it?  We can at least reduce its benefit and power. Here's an idea: Follow the money. At least let's be more aware of where it comes from, and make money-raising efforts themselves into campaign issues, as they should be.  After all, where candidates get their money is a better gauge of what they'll do in office than most of their promises.  

News media − and social media − could do a great job investigating where each candidate gets their funds. And any of us who go to an event, even for those candidates we like, can ask: "Where do you get your money?" Do a little research. It's not difficult.  

Let's make them tell us who's paying for their campaign. And why? If reporters did more stories about WHERE funds come from instead of just WHO'S ON FIRST, we'd learn something about the candidates and to whom they may be beholding.  

By following the money, we can make accepting money from certain interest groups become a liability to a candidate instead of just an asset. Let's fulfill the goals of Granny D and follow in her footsteps.   

Finding the money:  Federal and state campaign disclosure websites list many donations to candidates. Another source is CampaignMoney.com.  

Today's quote. "You're Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell."  -- Doris "Granny D" Haddock, also the title of her book with Dennis Burke, Villard Books, Random House, Inc. NY, 2001.

More: Granny D's life, cause honored at forum

Next time.  Three myths of the "Housing Crisis."

D Allan Kerr wrote a must-see commentary last week:   Jimmy Kimmel may be the most important person in America: Kerr

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years and state representative for 24 years.  He was six-term Portsmouth Assistant Mayor for 12 years, nine-term city councilor for 18 years, Police Commissioner, and served on the School Board.   jimsplaineportsmouthNH@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: If money talks, who's speaking in New Hampshire elections? Splaine