The Financial Landscape of the 2020 Democratic Primaries

This chapter examines the impact of the Citizens United ruling on the electoral landscape, with a particular focus on Michael Bloomberg's decision to enter the presidential race and the strategic decisions shaped by polling data. It highlights the contrasting fundraising approaches of candidates like Bernie Sanders, who capitalizes on grassroots support, versus those reliant on big donors, and raises questions about the viability of their strategies as the primaries approach. The discussion further explores the historical context of campaign financing and the personal sacrifices candidates make, reflecting the complexities and challenges of modern political campaigns.