Fundraising: The Frontier For Another Biden And Trump Crash
Biden supporters are concerned that the former vice president’s campaign won’t be able to compete with Trump’s fundraising steamroller, especially as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks the economy.
“It’s our biggest problem right now in the general election,” a Biden aide acknowledged.
“That’s insurmountable,” said a Democratic fundraiser for Biden. “I don’t see how you make that up. People say you don’t need as much for this election because you don’t have to spend on a field team because of the pandemic. But people are stuck at home, so you better be able to match their TV spending.”
He said the fundraising scene is a dead right now, as wealthy donors have closed their wallets due to the stock market volatility and economic turmoil.
“Biden does not have a strong grassroots fundraising apparatus. Now he doesn’t even have in-person events he can go to. It’s just these Zoom calls. And now throw in the pandemic,” the fundraiser said. “We lost with all the money Hillary Clinton raised. How do we win with less?”
A bundler for the Democratic part added: “Will he have enough to run a national campaign? I would say yes. But the big question is ‘Will it be enough?’ That’s hard to say.”
The former Vice President had three fundraisers this week, including one on Thursday evening that brought in more than $1.1 million, this according to actor Billy Porter, who emceed the event.
That particular online fundraiser lasted 46 minutes and included actor Kristin Chenoweth, singer Melissa Etheridge, tennis legend Billie Jean King and Pete Buttigieg, a former Democratic Presidential candidate.
Aides say that while online fundraisers are raising money, they’re nothing like traditional check-writing events where Biden could shake hands and charm the donors.
“What’s a big fundraiser anymore?” the bundler said. “No one cares about having a Zoom call with anyone.”
The bundler and top donors say they did not expect anyone to host fundraisers in the flesh this summer. “No one would show up, even if it were a small event,” one fundraiser said.
