Biden’s cash advantage over Trump cannot be overlooked 

Former President Donald Trump may have a slight lead in the early stages vote But the incumbent has a significant lead in another election, which is probably just as important at this point, far from November.

In fact, Biden’s financial advantage over Trump is currently almost $40 million — could be decisive in a race that hinges largely on turnout and which campaigns can effectively reach and mobilize voters.

Both campaigns last week It has been submitted Financial reports have been submitted to the Federal Election Commission, and the difference is clear. Biden and his affiliated PAC received $53 million in February, bringing the president’s total war chest to $155 million.In total, the Biden campaign Said It plans to raise and spend $2 billion.

In addition, external groups pledged More than $1 billion will be spent to support Biden’s re-election bid.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign recently told Fox News that the campaign and support PAC have just over $40 million in cash on hand. according to The former president has struggled to raise money, despite hosting weekly dinners with major donors at his Mar-a-Lago mansion, according to the New York Times.

It’s easy to understand why donors are hesitant to give to candidates and their committees. Most of Mr. Trump’s spending will go toward legal costs, not campaign funds. In 2023, President Trump’s PAC spent: almost $50 million to defend the former president in four criminal indictments and numerous civil trials.

According to the FEC, the Save America PAC spent about $6 million in legal fees in February alone, leaving the PAC with just $4 million in cash. Documents to be submitted. And those costs are expected to increase as the trial date for Trump’s case approaches.

President Trump’s economic woes extend beyond his campaign.He failed to secure $464 million guaranteed bond judgement The state’s attorney general indicated this week that some of Trump’s assets may be seized.

Of course, money alone won’t win the election for either side, given the two high-profile candidates and the power of social media (not to mention Trump’s extensive ability to receive free media coverage). But there is no doubt that it is an advantage for Biden and the Democratic Party.

Moreover, Mr. Trump has taken this position before and won. Trump raised $340 million in 2016, dwarfed by Hillary Clinton’s roughly $600 million, and in the final weeks of the election, Trump gave Clinton $131 million to $9,400. It exceeded $1,000.

Looking back at 2016, Trump allies are once again insisting that money is not the issue.Recently, as former Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Tommy Hicks Jr. Said“Hillary Clinton was much better than President Trump, but he connected with the American people and that was really the difference.”

It remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump, now a hot commodity, will connect with voters the way he did as a first-time candidate in 2016 in what is considered an incredibly close election, but Mr. Biden’s financial The advantage in this gives the president an advantage. – We focus on specific key areas, primarily advertising, organizing, and vote-getting efforts.

To this end, President Trump’s major super PAC recently Spent The $380,000 spent on advertising targeting Black voters in the three states is a relative pittance compared to the $30 million six-week advertising campaign announced by the Biden campaign.

Additionally, Biden’s deep pockets mean the president can open more campaign offices in key battleground states, ensuring strong grassroots and voting efforts across the states that will decide the race. I can do it.

Similarly, President Trump’s financial limitations mean he will have a hard time attacking third-party candidates like Robert F. It would limit his ability to reach independents, but given these issues Biden is unlikely to face it. His virtually limitless resources.

Ultimately, money will no longer decide presidential races as it once did, especially with two candidates that Americans are already familiar with and Trump’s average lead in battleground states such as Maybe not. georgia (Trump +5) michigan (Trump +4) and wisconsin (Trump +1), making it clear that Biden is on an uphill climb.

But it would be a mistake to overlook the importance of Mr. Biden’s overwhelming financial position over his opponents in a race that is likely to come down to a few thousand votes in just a handful of states. If the Biden campaign can use that effectively, this race could be much closer than many think.

Douglas E. Schon is a political consultant who served as an advisor to President Clinton and Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. His new book is “The End of Democracy? Russia and China are rising, and America is retreating. ”