“$$s don’t get you elected. Votes do.”
Money typically buys access to voters, but I think you make a valid point. The Internet is making it much easier and probably significantly less expensive to reach potential voters. Expensive network and newspaper ad buys seem to be less effective. I think we’re entering an era where the big political war chests deliver much less bang for a buck.
"Nomismocracy"? Rule of the Coins?