U.S. Senator John Kennedy has already raised about $29-million in campaign cash, but says he’d like to break the $40-million mark before Election Day. His on-hand funds far outstrip any of his announced challengers, so why would he want to raise even more? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says a standard rule in politics is “more money is always better.”
“Even though Kennedy’s two main challengers don’t have deep pockets, he doesn’t know who else might be out there that might want to get rid of him,” says Cr. Cross.
Cross says there’s no reason Kennedy should stop raising campaign donations, because unused funds for this election can be saved and used in a future re-election bid, but only for the Senate. That money could not be used if he decides to run for Governor next year.
“The other thing that he can do is he can spend money to help other people in the Senate.”
Cross says that’s a good way to curry favors or support with fellow U.S. Senators.
Kennedy now has a sizeable list of challengers qualified, but his campaign cash far outpaces all of them combined. When asked during qualifying if he’d debate opponents, Kennedy said he has a busy schedule. Cross says there’s no “upside” to him doing that.
“There’s no real reason for Kennedy to debate his challengers. He’s probably not going to be pushed into any kind of a runoff, so…the only thing that can happen to him is BAD in a debate.”
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