Pledges to reject conventional big money donors/PACs & focus on small donors have helped a few candidates (Bernie), but left Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, & Beto O'Rourke without funds to continue.
2 billionaires were able to swoop in & join debate stage at last minute. 1/
2 billionaires were able to swoop in & join debate stage at last minute. 1/
Both Hillary Clinton in 2016 & Barack Obama in 2012 wanted to end big money in US politics, but said they wouldn't "unilaterally disarm" & pretend the current system doesn't exist, sinking on principle while big money buoys others. But Sanders' 2016 pledge... 2/
...boxed in a lot of Dems, most of whom ran on some form of limiting big dollar donors this time. There was speculation early that this pledge might hurt women running the most, who bc of sexist standards have to run more on substance & experience, not on genereting euphoria. 3/
In past campaigns, a male running with a resume and profile like Kamala Harris' probably wouldn't have dropped out before Iowa due to monetary concerns. Candidates of her stature often had wealthy bundles who could inject enough $ to keep the campaign going. 4/
Meanwhile, Trump and the GOP have been amassing a huge warchest, often outpacing the Dems. That's a big flip from 2012, 2016, & 2018, when Dems had clear advantage.
A lot of Dems who want to end Citizens United were worried that small dollar donors alone... 6/
A lot of Dems who want to end Citizens United were worried that small dollar donors alone... 6/
...in the current system would only be able to carry a few candidates (and that men would benefit more than women).
That's not to say I think it's a good thing. I spend a lot of time looking thru campaign finance filings and reporting on them. This system disgusts me. 7/
That's not to say I think it's a good thing. I spend a lot of time looking thru campaign finance filings and reporting on them. This system disgusts me. 7/
But on the political side, there's an argument that you've got to play by the current system's rules & beat it to change it.
While Warren seems to be doing okay with money, I'll be really interested to see a study on how small donor pledges affects male candidates v women. 8•
While Warren seems to be doing okay with money, I'll be really interested to see a study on how small donor pledges affects male candidates v women. 8•
But: We see from the criticisms of Warren vs Bernie for accepting $$$ in PAST campaigns that there's already a double standard where women don't get as much credit as men for small donor pledges.
But Bernie used to accept PAC money too, including $11,129 from the NRA. 🤷🏻♂️ 9/
But Bernie used to accept PAC money too, including $11,129 from the NRA. 🤷🏻♂️ 9/
And that's not to say Bernie Sanders should forever be criticized for once having a different standard for campaign donations.
But women have a harder time escaping their past and charges of hypocrisy just seem to fly more and stick more. You may have noticed. 10/
But women have a harder time escaping their past and charges of hypocrisy just seem to fly more and stick more. You may have noticed. 10/
