The recent news is full of reports of fund-raising success for both presumed candidates for the U.S. Presidency in what promises to be record campaign spending. In the final reckoning, will it be “all about the money” or the substantive appeal of each party’s declared set of program priorities? To what extent will the massive media budgets improve voter knowledge and election participation? Overkill is already evident with more than four months to go. Repetitive messaging from multiple sources arrives daily via social media, texting, e-mail, regular mail, newspaper, radio and television. It can include promotional solicitations from both parties and even funding requests for Congressional campaigns in other states. How much time do recipients devote to donating versus deleting and discarding? Must we wonder whether the winner will endorse undisciplined federal spending? Approaching party conventions should prove telling in several respects as candidate uncertainties are resolved and visions clarified. We can anticipate that voter inclinations will solidify without depriving the media and pollsters of ongoing benefit. Phil Osifer