Socialist Sanders BIGGEST spender of all presidential candidates.

[LAS14]

Sanders’s money blitz, fueled by a $27 average donation that he repeatedly touts, has improbably made the anti-billionaire populist the biggest spender so far in the election cycle. The campaign’s wealth has been a surprising boon for vendors across the country who signed on to his long-shot bid.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-is-biggest-spender-of-2016-so-far--generating-millions-for-consultants/2016/04/28/600170ce-0cf2-11e6-a6b6-2e6de3695b0e_story.html

[Human101948]

1. And why is that a problem?

He raised that money honestly and his supporters knew that he would spend it on a political campaign.

[riversedge]

52. The dismal outcome is the problem.

[Human101948]

56. Only for you...

No matter what the income I am happy to donate to Bernie Sanders because he represents what I believe.

[RazBerryBeret]

79. dismal?

interesting... I would say that pretty amazing for a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist; who has never run for president, with very little name recognition who started the race 40 points behind the Candidate of Choice less than a year ago.

Adding to that, the fact that the Front Runner has previously lived in the WH for 8 years, has been under media scrutiny and limelight for 24 years, has universal name recognition, has an individual net worth of over 30 million dollars.

The outcome is really not a problem, his run has been financed by We the People. People like me. I have donated consistently since he announced and the Fact that he is so close to the Front Runner in so many states and has a huge following and has gained universal name recognition because of this? I am proud of how I spent MY hard earned money. His campaign has raised more non-corporate money than Any. Campaign. In. History. that is really something to think about.

Your candidate may become the 45th President, but Bernie has run an honest and fair race; he is a man of the people and his run has changed the political landscape; and not just in this election, but in future elections.

I applaud him and his campaign.

[puffy socks]

112. but Bernie has run an honest and fair race;

[reformist2]

105. It's dismal because it shows how many people really, really don't want the likely "winner."

[appalachiablue]

109. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It has been clear for some time that Sanders

is the most influential candidate in this campaign. His ideas and issues that are heard by the public and used by other candidates, and the millions of Americans he's motivated to engage in politics are unmistakable accomplishments. Supporters urged Bernie to enter the race, that number has vastly grown and their commitment to his message and movement is steadfast. Much appreciation and no regrets.

[Duckhunter935]

57. Lets see if his debt is as big as Hillary

Had wnen she did not pay her bills for years and had to cry to her rich friends to pay of the debt she made herself and put little of her own money to pay off

[Human101948]

62. Yes...that was reprehensible while she and Bill were amassing a fortune in speaking fees...

Reminds me of all the greedy bastards I've encountered in business who believe that stiffing people is a perfectly acceptable practice.

[Duckhunter935]

85. Like Trump did

[Human101948]

100. Yes, that is Trump's business model...

Can't make a profit honestly? Stiff your suppliers, shortchange your clients and then declare bankruptcy after you've looted the company.

[Fla Dem]

61. Also on his family trip to Rome, hiring his family members and lining the pockets

of Jeff Weaver and Tad Devine. Will be interesting if he ever gets around to releasing his campaign finance forms.

[Hortensis]

67. Honorably raised, VERY good. BUT (big but!),

it's a truism in politics that the best-funded candidates almost always win. It's the money for ads, advance people at the caucuses, etc., stupid! Not the ideology.

People were so busy talking excitedly or in surprise about "crowds" turning out to hear this elderly left-wing radical call for economic "revolution," i.e., his ideology, that we didn't look to see "what the other hand was doing." It was going for the win the same way all the crooked and cynical politicians Bernie supporters hate do. Not by emphasizing ideology, but by spending huge bucks to purchase advantage.

I'm not saying this is wrong. All the goals in the world are worth nothing if they're not accomplished. Just, how big was the Bernie phenomenon after all?

[CentralCoaster]

2. Wow, you have to be pretty popular to raise that much in such small amounts.

Proof, really, that he's the stronger and more qualified candidate.

[deathrind]

36. Well said 🍻

[Baobab]

41. Victory over cronyism is important

nt

[Fla Dem]

63. Yes, or a great snake oil salesman.

[CentralCoaster]

87. Huh? Ya mean "free stuff" Like the free education and housing my dad got 50 years ago?

LOL your candidate.

[Ed Suspicious]

103. We've all be duped!

[Warren Stupidity]

3. I can't think, offhand, of a more idiotic attack.

[dchill]

27. Yep. There's a bottom to THAT barrel.

[Fuddnik]

37. Next, they'll accuse him of not putting the toilet seat down.

That would be more idiotic.

Maybe I shouldn't be giving them ideas.

[libdem4life]

4. Does he need to live in an intentional community?

Or provide meals to his neighbors? Straw grasping is comical.

[merrily]

5. As long as we don't count the money PACs have been spending on behalf of Hillary since 2012!

Someone is going to have to explain to me what is wrong abut Sanders's spending on his campaign the money I sent him to spend on his campaign.

[Jitter65]

14. Maybe that a several million went to two people in the campaign. nt

[merrily]

16. That is a totally meaningless comment, but, as a donor, I thank you for your concern.

[redstateblues]

58. Send more money-Tad Devine has a payment due on his yacht

What a great idea-get rich raging against the rich.

[merrily]

70. Were you this upset over the money spent in 2008 by Obama and Hillary, or the money money Hillary is

spending now? Because all this faux outrage over the cost of political campaigns to which you do not contribute coming from Hillary supporters is hilarious.

Totally hypocritical, too, but mostly hilarious.

[Buzz Clik]

6. It's okay. He was spending other people's money.

That's what socialists do.

[SusanCalvin]

8. You forgot "that we happily gave."

As far as socialism in government (as opposed to political campaigns):

Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.

I rather like this article:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/12/11/explaining-socialism-to-a-republican/

[Marr]

11. I swear to god, I find it almost impossible to separate

Hillary supporters' rhetoric from the garbage you'd hear on Rush Limbaugh.

[Buzz Clik]

24. Oh, please.

After months of Berners spewing right wing talking points at HRC and her supporters, you can't take a little jab.

And, by the way, it's the absolute truth.

[artislife]

115. This is what Professional Organizers call "A fine sort".

[Iliyah]

12. LOL - you made my day!

[angrychair]

13. Your comments are a perfect illustration

Of the point I have been making all day.
"Free stuff" memes, poor shaming and the ridiculous obsession to attack Sanders on a personal level, as if he has personally slighted them in some way when, as I have had an HRC supporter explain to me today, that even the slightest disservice toward Clinton means that anything and everything is open season, including using neo-nazi hate sites and their batshit crazy conspiracy theories.

[SusanCalvin]

28. "as if he has personally slighted them in some way"

THAT'S IT! You have hit the nail on the head. He had no right to run and they (some) are @#$%ed.

[hellofromreddit]

18. Starting to sound awfully ditto head around here.

[Buzz Clik]

25. tell me why I'm wrong.

[riderinthestorm]

42. Your comment doesn't even make sense, that's why its wrong

"Socialists spending other people's money".

Bernie’s a democratic socialist for one, very different than a true socialist.

Furthermore we the people gave Bernie the $$ to get our message out there - we're a part of this movement. We're pretty happy with how he's lighting a fire within our society where all will benefit instead of the 1% and oligarchs.

[Buzz Clik]

50. Couple of things...

With a single exception, no one who has responded to me likes my comment, but all those who are offended disagree with you.

Bernie's spending has, in large measure, fed the 1%ers. Who owns the consultants and media outlets that have received tens of millions of your dollars? Ma and Pa?

"Oligarchs." You repeat that so often it's become meaningless. The little guy below lives on my back porch. He say "oligarch" all night long, but it's meaningful when he says it.

[riderinthestorm]

75. I only speak for myself and I'm perfectly happy with that

Bernie’s/ours/my message and proposals were always going to take tremendous resources to break through the media blockade. I don't begrudge a single cent its taken to get this far. Nor do I begrudge anyone making a buck.

You seem awfully angry over this though.

[Buzz Clik]

76. Yeah, I'm in a rage.

You keep on keeping on with your inconsistencies.

[beedle]

65. Whose money is Hillary spending?

Oh, and: You're wrong!!

[Buzz Clik]

74. Hillary? Did I mention Hillary?

Tell me why I'm wrong.

[beedle]

77. Great, so then Sanders is a 'socialist'

just like all the other politicians in the race who spend other people's money.

So, what is it about this 'socialism' that you find so offensive?

Oh, wait, you never mentioned 'offensive' either .. so I can take it that you were just supporting Sanders by making note that spending other people's money is what a modern campaign is all about.

I apologize, there I was thinking you were making a negative comparison of the Sanders campaign as compared to the Clinton campaign, and all you were doing is calling both of their campaigns 'socialism' ... and promoting that socialist value.

Good work, I agree.

Now, if Hillary could just drop the 'corporate socialism' part she would have my support.

[hellofromreddit]

98. Your comment lacked all substance; it isn't right or wrong. Just another content-free insult.

[Buzz Clik]

99. So, a) Bernie is NOT a socialist and b) he is not spending other people's money. Nice call.

[msongs]

19. that's what politicians do. at least bernie got some military hardware from his spending nt

[bahrbearian]

21. So later Hillary can sell them to the Saudis for a Donation to the Fund.

[Buzz Clik]

26. No idea what military hardware you're talking about.

[dchill]

30. We gave it to him for that purpose.

And we'll give him more.

[NWCorona]

60. Umm, that's what all politicians do lol! nt

[nc4bo]

7. .

[SusanCalvin]

9. Uh, so? nt

[Marr]

10. He's so unpopular! He got so much money from small donors! He's so unpopular!

Make up your mind.

[merrily]

17. Depends on which strand of spaghetti, if any, sticks to the wall.

[polly7]

15. Even got money from piggy banks ... .27 at a time.

[global1]

20. I Donated To Bernie's Campaign Multiple Times....

I wanted him to spend it any way he saw fit to be able to compete with candidates with SuperPacs and do everything he felt he had to do to win the nomination. Millions of other donors feel the same way. I'm proud of what Bernie has accomplished with our money. I would think that he is admired by his colleagues in Congress as he was able to raise the money without selling his soul to big money donors and corporations. I hoping that they might have learned a lesson from Bernie that they can do the same thing in the future and not have to sell their souls to the Devil.
I'm hoping that this goes a long way to get support in Congress to work on overturning Citizens United.

I want my Washinton representives represent me or us (we the people) and not the wealthy 1%'ers and corporations that are looking for favors for their donations.

Even Trump - when he was on the other side of politics acknowledges that the big donors look for something in return.

I - as a small money donor also expect something in return from my donations - an honest representative in the White House that has my or our best interest in mind. The key word here is 'honest'. I've never experienced a more 'honest' person running for office than Bernie. Thank You Bernie Sanders. We're still with you and we'll do anything we can to help you win the nomination. There is still a chance.

Go Bernie!!!

Feel the Bern!!!!

[DebDoo]

22. And he pays his debts in advance - wonder how much outstanding debt Hillary racked up this time?

And how many years it'll take her to pay it off

[riderinthestorm]

23. He pays his interns too unlike Hillary nt

[Fuddnik]

34. I'm sure Wall Street will take care of that debt.

[stevenleser]

29. Looks like the biggest lasting impact of BS campaign will be enriching Ted Devine.

Other than that, no impact.

[Larkspur]

35. You sound jealous that HRC could not inspire millions to donate to her like we did for Bernie

I will not donate to HRC in the GE, assuming she wins the nomination. I'll hold my nose and vote for her but that is all she gets from me. I live in CT, which has gone blue in Prez elections at least since 1996.

[riderinthestorm]

43. He sounds jealous of Tad Devine

[stevenleser]

45. Use whatever strawman that makes you feel better. nt

[riderinthestorm]

48. Weirdly enough I'm actually an expert on straw....

[stevenleser]

44. Use whatever strawman that makes you feel better. nt

[HooptieWagon]

31. Somebody sounds butthurt.

Yep. Sanders raised a huge amount of money from individual small donors. As he didn't have much name recognition or media coverage, a large portion of the budget was spent on ad buys. It would no him no good to end his campaign with money still on hand....if you got it, spend it.
I have no idea what OP is whining about...must be butthurt that millions of people dug into their pockets in support of a relatively unknown Democratic Socialist who dared to challenge the heavily favored,establishment backed, corporatist candidate.

[Larkspur]

32. We did not give Bernie money to hoard

We gave it to him to spend so that he could compete against HRC and the Dem Establishment.

Considering that Bernie did much better than Howard Dean in 2004, I'd say that the Progressive Movement is maturing and will be able to compete against the Corpro-crats (Corporate Democrats) in the years going forward to re-shape the Democratic Party.

The nanosecond HRC wins the GE, assuming she wins the nomination, the Progressive Movement needs to scrutinize every appointee and policy she makes. No Honeymoon time for Hillary!!!

[Fuddnik]

33. Yay for us!

I still have monthly and other donations going.

And will keep donating until the convention. Gotta keep those record contributions up!

[B Calm]

38. He's spending money that we gave him, omg. Get a clue, that's exactly why we gave. You really

think this is smearing him? How?

[MineralMan]

39. Looks like you can't really buy people's votes with money.

He spent three times as much as Hillary in New York. Look how that worked out for him.

Money is not the only factor in elections. It never has been, really.

[NWCorona]

68. Even tho I disagree with you from time to time. I generally can understand where you are coming fr.

This time I happen to think you are simplifying a bit here.
One cannot overlook where Bernie started from and what it took to get to where he is today.

[beedle]

71. Yeah, there's also arbitrary rules

designed to keep certain classes of voters from having a say.

[immoderate]

106. How DID it work out for him? How would you know?

Did it gain him votes or cost him? What's your reference point?

--imm

[deathrind]

40. What was he supposed...

With the millions of $20-$30 donations he has received?

If what you posit is true then it was money well spent considering polling data showed he had double digit deficits from coast to coast, zero name recognition, zero media attention less then a year ago and a DNC debate schedule that tried to keep him as unknown as possible by scheduling debates on Sunday afternoon during football play off time.

Given the fact that he has been able to not only run for President but overcome many of the obstacles mentioned above to become a real contender for the office I see no issues with the $ he has spent. He spent it exactly as those who gave it to him intended for him to spend it.

I only wish I could have donated more.

[runaway hero]

46. Using socialist as a pejorative

Not very progressive at all...

[B Calm]

51. No kidding, it's like they are Rush Limbaugh fans.

[whatchamacallit]

47. Just like the brilliant "look at Comrade Sanders' flight menu" posts

Mega-rich white lady sycophants bark about money. Lol.

[IamMab]

49. Bernie Sanders: "Money is buying elections!" *Spends most money, loses election.*

I still can't believe someone as addled as Sanders thought he could be President. To think he would go this far just to cash in on the gullibility of his supporters.

Shame on him.

[Live and Learn]

53. Give it a friggen rest. Go find something productive to do. nt

[Kip Humphrey]

64. I LOVE the way this irritates certain Hillarians so!

[Kip Humphrey]

95. It says I'm for, by, and of the people and not for, by, and of the oligarchs.nt

[Live and Learn]

96. Oops, I read that wrong. Think I will delete it. Sorry. nt

[Renew Deal]

54. Bernies extravagant spending is in line with his message

Though Plouffe has also described the current state of the Sanders campaign well.

[oldandhappy]

55. name recognition?? maybe?? giggle

clinton has already been in the white house for eight years. Bernie is about issues and many of us have responded to that. clinton is about corporations. You have seen nothing yet. When the PAC money is released, whoosh.

[Duckhunter935]

59. That reminds me

I have to send some money in. I am glad he is employing people.

[seabeyond]

66. Sanders is a politician. He spouts off about $ in campaign and points the finger elsewhere.

Does he have the right to spend the money? You betcha. Does his supporters want him to spend the money? You betcha. Now, he can quit wagging his finger at others, and the same with the supporters, as he is exactly the same as all the candidates. Trying to win a race.

It is the hypocrisy.

[polly7]

81. What hypocrisy?

Spending money to run a campaign??? Did he not need media exposure, venue rental, employees, etc, etc, etc? How would he even be known or have a chance without the same things every other candidate has to pay for?

That money wasn't gotten by paying-to-play with the big banks that ruined the lives of millions, the health-care industry trying desperately to stop single-payer, the fossil-fuel industry destroying the planet and ruining so many lives with war, the weapons manufacturers killing small children with their cluster bombs, the profit-prison industry ruining so many lives.

What's your beef? The people who see his vision and have been waiting for someone to offer a change gave willingly and still are. Do you think they'd be pleased if he hadn't spent the money on campaigning?

[egalitegirl]

82. The issue is where the money comes from

One who pays the piper calls the tune. Since he raised money from ordinary people, he will represent the tunes of ordinary people. Those who received money from big corporations will represent the interests of big corporations. That is why he wags his finger at those who have received money from Wall Street.

[polly7]

83. One who pays the piper calls the tune.

Seems so simple.

[seabeyond]

84. So, the Libertarians, baggers, Republicans, .... are calling the tunes?

[polly7]

86. These 'Libertarians, baggers, Republicans'?? - all the hundreds of thousands

who've lined up for months just to hear him speak? No doubt they, including all his supporters here who are members of that group you seem to hate also contributed. Horrible, horrible people.

[seabeyond]

88. So, you are good with the Democratic Party becoming the party of Libertarians, baggers and Repugs.

While asking for the Democratic vote? K. LOl.

[polly7]

92. No, you were referring to all those who sent him money being Libertarians, baggers

and Repugs. They're tax-paying citizens who have the same right to support any Democratic race candidate as you do and who contribute to make their dreams and hopes happen.

Your condescension knows no depths.

[seabeyond]

93. Dance with who brung ya....

[polly7]

94. Are you suggesting he shouldn't listen to them? What's your point?

He doesn't accept the dirty pay-to-play money. Is that what's so offensive to you?

[uponit7771]

90. This is false, he constantly talked about the AMOUNT of money spent not just its source

[egalitegirl]

113. He also spoke about Wall Street

Did you miss his speeches in which he mentioned Wall Street? So yes, he means the amount of money given by Wall Street. The more they give, the more their candidates are beholden to them. That is what he means.

[uponit7771]

89. +1, degrades money in politics and then spends the most of it to lose

[polly7]

97. Degrades 'dirty, pay-to-play' money in politics. How could anyone possibly

run a campaign without money? Explain.

[Armstead]

72. That Dirty Socialist who is actually spending money contributed by the People

[riversedge]

73. Sanders is biggest spender of 2016 so far — generating millions for consultants

The real title says it all---lots of money going to consultants. Flunked.


Sanders is biggest spender of 2016 so far — generating millions for consultants
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-is-biggest-spender-of-2016-so-far--generating-millions-for-consultants/2016/04/28/600170ce-0cf2-11e6-a6b6-2e6de3695b0e_story.html

Profiting From Politics is an occasional series examining who is benefiting from the money rushing into political campaigns.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-is-biggest-spender-of-2016-so-far--generating-millions-for-consultants/2016/04/28/600170ce-0cf2-11e6-a6b6-2e6de3695b0e_story.html

[Android3.14]

78. Which is more evidence Hillary is stealing the primary

He had more money because he had more popular support, yet all those voting glitches benefit Veruca Salt. What Clinton and her soulless sockpuppets did to this campaign is a travesty that I will never support.

I want nothing to do with Her Inevitableness

[egalitegirl]

80. So should he use the money to invest in the stock market?

The author should know that using this money for business investments is fraud. The money was collected for the explicit purpose of spending for election campaigning.

[rurallib]

91. Let's see? Clinton has huge name recognition and gets lots of free media

As does Trump. Estimates are that Trump used the media for billions of dollars of free publicity.

We already know that some corporate media refused to give Sanders any play at all.
So what would your strategy be in that environment.

BTW - nice job of disparaging the word "socialist" - hope you rethink it.

[Agnosticsherbet]

101. He is beloved by the political industrial complex

[tymorial]

102. Sanders once didnt hold a door open for someone!

The horror.

[brewens]

104. And...? I gave him $100 bucks. WTF do you thing I gave it to him for? n/t

[Paper Roses]

107. WE are the 'biggest' spenders' with our well placed dollars because we hope for real change.

NO big money here. Just small donations from those of us who cannot afford to donate huge amounts but do what we can to help. Without an alternate direction, this country is on a big downhill spin. We peons give what we can ($27.00 or whatever) and will keep on supporting Bernie to the end. We need to change things and he is our only hope!

I am a believer in a big reversal, a fighter, a leader, a visionary. We need it. We deserve it and we will keep contributing until we get it.

Ask any old timer if things are good. The universal opinion is that 'things stink'. You think you are fine with the status quo? Wait a while. Come back to me later if anyone other than Bernie is elected. I'll be happy to say, "I told you so".

[Matt_R]

108. So they are not counting Clintons superpacs.

I find it odd that they would not count the superpac that is coordinating with Clinton, you know the "legal coordination" because they haven't run an ad on tv but are all over the internet.

[mr_liberal]

110. Makes Citizens United seem ok. nm

[The Second Stone]

111. Well, let's use this method up and down the ticket

and get people to start donating to individual candidates. I believe Sanders ran for the purpose of raising the level of dialogue, and judging by a comparison of the debates between the parties and even against past election years withing parties, Sanders and Clinton both debated like adults and raised the level of discourse.

I think, personally, that Sanders got in the race for that reason. He is of above average intelligence and probably grasped when he got in that he wasn't gong to win but could get ideas out and raise the level of debate and give Clinton some sparring (which she needs and benefited from). From having been a candidate in an uphill race, I suspect he partially convinced himself that he could win at some point.

If this is the case, expect him to raise the level of discourse again and throughout the rest of the campaign.

[artislife]

114. That's what we gave him the money for.

To spend on the election

And not take is payment for some future "gift".

[loyalsister]

116. The point is where it comes from

Hillary's campaign has benefitted from money from fossil fuel industries, the pharmaceutical industry, and from private prison lobbystssupporters, and Wall st.

The problem is in who a person accepts campaign support from. Particularly in the shadows of superpacs.

[LAS14]

119. Bernie has benefited from the same sources. Both H & B in very small percentages.

[loyalsister]

120. H&B in very small percentages?

in contrast to the millions and millions funneled to HRC?

[LAS14]

123. You're simply wrong. If I had time I'd find the posts that prove it.

[LaurenG]

117. And he was funded by me and millions of others like me!

As opposed to the dinosaur Clinton still being funded by wall street.

[beachbum bob]

118. big spending socialist is right...and how his wife ran Burlington College into a financial mess

I wonder how the american people would like the sanders do to our country what she did to Burlington?

[LaurenG]

121. Oh so maybe we should blame the Clinton's for the sins of one another too

I'd slam that door as fast as you opened it if I were you.

[Democratic Divo]

122. That's not surprising.

You gotta spend money to lose money!

Isn't that the socialist credo?

[killbotfactory]

124. I didn't donate to him so he could hoard it. Nt