Monday, June 22, 2015

Why so many presidential candidates?

Sent to the Wall Street Journal, June 22.

The WSJ lists 13 GOP presidential candidates ("Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio Solidify Front-Runner Status," June 21), and one website (http://2016.republican-candidates.org/#Declared-Republican-Candidates) lists 27 Republication candidates and 15 Democratic candidates (http://2016.democratic-candidates.org/#Declared-Democratic-Candidates).

Why so many? My guess is that few people declare their candidacy with the expectation of winning. 
If you are a candidate, however, you could get lots of media time and people might conclude that you are more important than you really are. The free media publicity can result in speaking invitations and TV appearances at high fees.

Some candidates are undoubtedly sincere public servants, but for others, I suspect it's all about the money.

Stephen Krashen

Stephen Krashen has not announced his candidacy for president of the United States.


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