Maureen Cavanaugh: Some people have called U.S. presidential politics the endless campaign, and it is certainly starting to look like it. Right now, only three months into President Barack Obama's term, potential candidates, mainly Republicans, are looking toward the election of 2012.
One of the reasons this quiet, below-the-radar campaign is underway so early, is because of the incredible amount of money it takes to run for president. It's estimated that a viable candidate in 2012 may have to raise a half a billion dollars.
But what does this perpetual campaign do to America? If politicians are relentlessly vying for a position in the next election, can any real work get done governing the country?
Guest
- Michael Toner, former chairman of the Federal Election Commission and a partner at the law firm, Bryan Cave LLP.
