Silver Lining

John McCain fathered campaign finance reform, and the law paid him back by patricide on election day. Obama raised about $640 million while McCain "faced an $84 million limit on what he could spend, putting him at a huge disadvantage compared to Obama." Thus, it's no surprise that the Democrat spent more per vote most everywhere, as the LA Times' Top of the Ticket reports:

Barack Obama spent $14.85 per vote received in Nevada.

The John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket spent $13.95 there.

Obama spent $7.23 per vote in Missouri, but still lost to McCain, who shelled out "only" $5.19. Obama spent $12.15 to win each vote in Virginia while the Republican spent $4.35.

How about Florida? McCain = $2.11. Obama = $8.86. New Mexico: Obama = $7.23. McCain = $9.25. Montana: Obama = $6.09. McCain = $0.

Ohio: Obama = $7.90. McCain = $5.80. Pennsylvania: Obama = $9.08. McCain = $8.51.

(The National Journal complied the data.)

As Jeff Goldstein observes, there's "no necessary correlation between money spent and electoral outcome." But cash and commercials sure help. So--take comfort!--the best thing about the election is that no Presidential contender ever will choose public funding again.