On the Media The Democratic Party's Spam Machine
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Nov 19, 2025 Adam Bonica, a political scientist from Stanford University and author of the Substack newsletter On Data and Democracy, dives into the chaotic world of Democratic Party fundraising tactics. He reveals the overwhelming flood of insistent donation emails that utilize alarming language and celebrity names to compel giving. Bonica discusses the unethical tactics of urgency and deception, likening them to scams targeting seniors. He advocates for a shift towards treating donors as partners and highlights successful candidates embracing more respectful fundraising strategies.
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Consultants Built The Spam Engine
- A cottage industry of digital fundraising consultants created the aggressive spam tactics now widespread in Democratic fundraising.
- Mothership Strategies, founded by ex-DCCC staff, pioneered panic-driven appeals that campaigns and committees adopted.
Spam Packs Are Networked Operations
- Spam packs operate like clusters of near-identical groups that relentlessly reuse donor lists to bypass blocks.
- These networks often funnel money back to the same consulting firms, creating a closed ecosystem.
The Taylor Swift '8x' Match
- Bonica received a text claiming Taylor Swift would '8x' his donation, illustrating phantom match claims.
- These purported matches often can't be real and borrow celebrity legitimacy to pressure donors.