Democrats Built A Small-Donor Money Machine. Now, Republicans Want Their Own

[DonViejo]

November 23, 20185:01 AM ET
Heard on Morning Edition

The midterm elections illuminated a gap in Republican fundraising. While wealthy conservatives continued to fund party committees and superPACs, Democrats beat Republicans in the contest for small-donor contributions.

In 73 hot House races, Democrats raised more than $62 million from donors of $200 or less. Republicans raised barely $27 million.

The gusher shocked Republicans. In a late-October debate, Virginia Rep. Dave Brat told voters, "Millions and millions of dollars are coming in from Nancy Pelosi and every leftist group including ActBlue. Please go research those groups, they are trying to buy this election."

ActBlue isn't a party committee. But as a nonprofit entity, performing much like a utility, it processed credit card contributions totaling $1.6 billion in the current election cycle, the money flowing from mostly small donors to Democratic candidates and causes. Any Democratic candidate or organization can use ActBlue.

"That's something that definitely has to happen on the Republican side," said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the incoming chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the official party organization helping to elect Republicans to the House.

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https://www.npr.org/2018/11/23/670084581/democrats-built-a-small-donor-money-machine-now-republicans-want-their-own?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

[dalton99a]

1. Go sell more MAGA hats

[Downtown Hound]

2. "They are trying to buy this election"

Really? Couple of billionaires fund it? Hey no problem. Thousands of individuals try and take back their democracy? They are trying to but this election. The gargantuan hypocrisy never ends.

[marylandblue]

3. Don't laugh. This is actually a serious challenge from their side

If they.make it easier for small donors to contribute, don't you think they will get more small donors? We need to stay.one step ahead of them.

[dembotoz]

4. They would be stupid if they didn't

We pay attention to what works for them and they do same

[Fullduplexxx]

5. Trying to buy this election ... you gotta be fkg kidding

They have no ability for self reflection

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. Good luck with that!

The base don't have a pot to piss in, think they'll part with their meager dollars, especially when they know a few billionaires will bankroll the Republican Party. Pretty doubtful.