Republican primaries: a race for millions?

The Republican primaries in the United States are generating a veritable race for generous sums of money from donors. Indeed, candidate Mitt Romney received $6.6 million for his party, Rick Santorum $2.1 million, and Newt Gingrich $11 million. So far, these impressive sums, which are collected by support committees (Super Political Action Committees (PACs), total $131 million this year, compared to $66 million in 2010.

While one or more of these committees are affiliated with each candidate, the candidate is not allowed to receive this money directly. Meanwhile, another committee, created to support candidate Mitt Romney, raised $36 million; as did Newt Gingrich, who is also supported by a very active committee called "Winning our Future," and Rick Santorum with the "Red, White, and Blue" committee.

Officially, these committees must remain independent of the parties and candidates they support, but it is clear that these Republican primaries are becoming increasingly dependent on the super PACs. This is a phenomenon that worries presidential candidate Barack Obama, who said two years ago that he considered these committees to be «a threat to Democrats and democracy». On the other hand, «he will have no choice but to play by the same rules», said Jim Messina, Obama's campaign manager. With the Republicans enjoying virtually unlimited leeway when it comes to spending, the Democrats «cannot unilaterally lower their weapons» under the circumstances, he added.

Let us hope for the benefit of the Americans that the outcome of this political campaign depends on arguments other than the amount of greenbacks collected.