Can money win elections?Not necessarily – just ask Hillary Clinton, who slammed Donald Trump 2 to 1 In 2016, we just kept losing.That racial politico called “This is the most lopsided battle in modern campaign financing.”
That doesn’t mean money isn’t important. In 2020, Biden outperformed Trump in hundreds of millions of dollars, raked in more than $1 billion in campaign contributions compared to the former president’s $774 million. Mr. Biden’s astonishing performance allowed him to make last-minute advertising raids in battleground states that could have tipped the election in favor of Democrats.
It might happen again.of Current Democratic Party Fundraising Advantages Everyone who supports Donald Trump should be worried.
The Republican National Committee raised $87 million last year, leaving just $8 million in the bank for 2024. This is a worrying deficit. Despite what was said to be a slow start to the campaign, the DNC raised $119 million in 2023 and started this year with $21 million. Additionally, pro-Biden Democratic PACs and others entered 2024 with $117 million in cash.
That’s some serious firepower.
Since then, after Biden raised his policy; $53 million The gap is likely to have widened further in February. In addition, outside groups such as the League of Conservation Voters and the Service Employees International Union cool billion To the Biden camp. The ruling class will do whatever it takes to stop Trump.
Money matters, and raising money for the Trump campaign may prove more important this time around for five reasons.
First, news sites and social media platforms during the first election (2016) gave Donald Trump a refreshingly unpredictable impression. Almost unlimited broadcast time, was confident that the political novice would boost ratings — and also that he wouldn’t win. For the network, inviting Trump on the air was a win-win.
That’s no longer the case. 2020 network censored story unfavorable to Joe Biden; cut coverage Evaluation of the sitting president will be kept to a minimum. That’s what they’re doing again. Remember when networks like CNN and MSNBC cut President Trump’s victory speech after the New Hampshire primary and started “fact-checking” candidates’ statements? When was the last time a major network aired a Trump rally?
Meanwhile, Biden is commanding the airwaves as president. Traditional broadcasters seem to be ignoring footage of Biden stumbling both physically and verbally as he meets with world leaders and the president mocks MAGA Republicans. Speeches, etc. are widely reported. the name of saving democracyand events he participated in brag about fundraising He directed a new manufacturing facility, for example.
Second, President Biden has an incumbency advantage. Almost every day, he or Vice President Harris appear in some battleground state to hand taxpayer money to key groups of voters and secure their loyalty.One day it was Removal of lead pipes In black neighborhoods, that’s next. Visiting a battery factory where the labor union is a member in Pennsylvania.
Third, Biden and his fellow Democrats have persistently and intentionally lied about his three-year history.he continues boast “Creating” 800,000 new manufacturing jobs; Almost unchanged This means that your income has actually increased compared to before the coronavirus infection. barely moved. His campaign officials know that a slew of TV ads and social media posts will work in their favor and persuade gullible people.
Fourth, the media also lies about Donald Trump.Recent outbursts surrounding President Trump’s use of the word “Blood Festival” It wasn’t a coincidence to explain what (realistically) would happen to a Detroit automaker if China flooded the U.S. market with Mexican-made EVs. President Trump’s language was careless, but his reaction was ridiculous.Everything Trump says is distorted to suit his claims. Too dangerous Serving as president is too great a threat to democracy. It takes big money to fight big lies.
Finally, Trump’s legal bill is staggering; Over $75 million over the past two years, and they aren’t going away anytime soon.Should campaign funds be used to fight Letitia James? outrageous harassment A former president?Should I pay money to pursue it? perjury Against Georgia prosecutor Fannie Willis? If the donors knew that their donations to the Trump campaign or super PAC were being used in this way, my answer would be yes. However, donations to the Republican National Committee should be used It’s to get Republican candidates up or down the vote, not for any other purpose.
Money is important, but so is the source of campaign contributions.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are both fighting over the “little guy.” blue-collar non-college voters There’s a good chance who will decide the outcome of several battleground states where unionization is strong, such as Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as the presidential election.
Democrats would have you believe they represent the middle class. Scranton Joe It represents the interests of workers, as well as union leaders, Hollywood elites, and various special interests integral to Biden’s coalition. On the other hand, the liberal media is promoting the idea that Mr. Trump: Too cozy With billionaires. Neither story is true.
Biden took office with the following promise: Most pro-labor president in history And I repeat that claim every chance I get. It turned out that the union members were not reciprocating the favor.Analysis of Federal Campaign Information, Bloomberg report “Donald Trump is garnering financial support from grassroots campaigners working in heavily unionized workplaces…” [and] Biden has far more donors than Biden from people who report working primarily in blue-collar jobs. ”
Bloomberg also notes that Biden “lags behind Trump in contributions from donors in jobs that are often unionized, such as mechanics and truck drivers.” [while] Mr. Biden does better among workers who identify as experts, such as professors, scientists, and psychologists, who prefer him over Mr. Trump by a margin of more than 3 to 1. ”
In the 2020 campaign, 39% of Biden’s donations came from small donors, while Trump relied on them for 49% of his funding. According to open secret. Trump will need those people to show up again in 2024, given what the Democrats could throw at him.
He would also need a billionaire.
Liz Peek is a former partner at Wall Street giant Wertheim & Company.
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