Why Jeb Bush Can’t Spend His Way to the Win

What's wrong with this country when the rightfully
entitled candidate can't buy an election anymore?
It's not fair, Poppy, that W. got to buy his and I can't
buy mine now.  IT'S MY TURN!!!!!! You promised!

(National Journal) - The GOP could have a dozen deep-pocketed presidential contenders, and they'll all learn next year that when it comes to actual votes, that extra money doesn't buy what it used to. Already, super PACs are arming second- and third-tier candidates with tens of millions of dollars while the supposed GOP front-runner, Jeb Bush, promises a record-setting haul. This combined fundraising guarantees that by the

time Republicans have picked their nominee in summer 2016, the candidates will

have spent more to reach voters than ever before....But diminishing returns on cash

investments undoubtedly shift the burden of securing the win back on to the candidate and his or her skills: These contenders will need to demonstrate an ability to click, in real time, with voters and offer a compelling message rather than simply relying on slick strategy to sell them digitally. In effect, the Republican presidential primary could become like the general election for the presidency, where the massive amounts of money spent by each party cancels itself out and rarely leads to substantial returns with voters.

That's bad news for the candidates who are struggling to connect—namely Jeb Bush, whose current front-runner status hinges mostly on the expectation that he will outraise, not outperform, his rivals. 

Read more.