Now, don’t get me wrong.  Tom Wolf is a good man and I agree with his positions on the issues.  I supported him for Governor in the Democratic Primary Tuesday, but that was a late endorsement when it was clear he was going to win.  I felt that we all needed to get behind a strong candidate in order to defeat Republican Tom Corbett in the fall.

But Wolf would not be where he is today if not for money.   

The main candidates didn’t differ that much on the issues.  But Wolf spent something like $10 million of his own money to win this election, and the others just could not compete.

It’s sad that money has so much power in America to sway elections.  But then, that’s one of the reasons I supported Wolf.  He’ll have the money in the general election to fight Corbett like he needs to be fought.

Let’s face it, money doesn’t always guarantee a win.  (Hi, President Forbes!)  It can’t make an unlikable candidate charismatic.  But it sure can help a good candidate zoom past other good candidates.

Wolf not only spent lots of money, but also spent it wisely.  He hired the best consultants and ran excellent commercials in the right markets.  Many Democrats like me noticed and said “Any of the candidates would make a good Governor, but only one seems to be way ahead of the others in being a good campaigner.”

I’d love to see campaign finance reform change the game.  But until then, we have to play by the rules as they exist.  And lots of money helps you win.