This time, both national parties will pour major sums of money into the race, and the focus is likely to be on the economy and jobs.
Independent experts say China's public total excludes major sums spent on research and procurement that are concealed in other budgets, though the total remains far lower than that of the United States.
China allows the value of the yuan to move in a tightly controlled range against the dollar and mostly restricts the conversion of major sums to foreign currencies to trade-related payments.
While most recent public attention has focused on super-pacs spending major sums for negative TV ads assailing Romney and Gingrich, Tuesday's figures are a sign of even greater spending to come in the general election battle between the eventual Republican nominee and Barack Obama.
The national Democratic Party group, in turn, has funneled major sums into Put Alaska First PAC, which backs Begich.
In just a few years, he became a bona fide celebrity whose paintings were selling for major sums at galleries around the world.
Steyer contributed $2,700 to de León's primary bid, but has yet to invest major sums on de León's behalf through his outside political groups.
Nor is Simmons new to independent political spending: He gave major sums to groups like Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Progress for America in earlier presidential campaigns.
Kasich, in his only truly memorable moment of the night (besides punching back at Bush at one point who was going after his Medicaid record in Ohio by saying, "Hold on there, Major") summed up what everyone in America, and the world, was feeling throughout all the bickering, tantrums, and bad form by the talking steak sandwiches on the stage last night.
But the president of a major union -- which spent unprecedented sums this election cycle -- fired back, saying the elections reflect a larger sense of dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party and that losses were not referenda on union-backed candidates or policies.
