Democrats love to complain
about “money-in-politics.” Mention the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson and
veins in the average Democrat’s neck begin to throb. But few Democrats
walk-the-walk when it comes to political money. Few Democrats treat “Democratic
money-in-politics” with the partisan distain they reserve for “Republican
money-in-politics.”
Case in point is the
current primary in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District. The Cook
Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI) rates the 8th District as D+16; a
nominal Democrat will usually beat a nominal Republican by 16 points. This
makes the 8th District a certain Democratic win. Baring a felony
conviction (not just an arrest), whoever wins the Democratic primary in two
days will almost certainly win the general election in November.
As of two weeks ago, the
leader in the polls is auto-dealer Don Beyer. He is also the leading money
raiser – tripling the cash of any of his 6 opponents. Beyer has raised $1.3
million. His 6 competitors – combined – have raised $1.8 million.
Don Beyer seems a good
person with a record of public service. The same can be said for the other
candidates. What distinguishes Beyer is his money. Staying well within the law,
Beyer is buying Tuesday’s primary. Beyer is buying phone-banks, paid
canvassers, media ads, Google ads, strategists, pollsters, and mailings in
amounts and sophistication that swamp his competitors. Come election night,
Beyer’s vote advantage will probably mirror his money advantage: 42% of the
money will buy 42% of the vote.
Is this money disparity an
issue in the Democratic primary? Not at all. Press, public and candidates are
silent on Beyer’s fundraising advantage.
Do Democrats really care
about money-in-politics? Evidently not, unless the hated Republicans have the
upper hand. If a campaign is awash with Republican money, Democrats make it
“the” issue. Dems will even call for amending the Constitution. But in this
Democratic primary, with money so disparate and decisive, I’ve not heard a
single Democratic whimper about money-in-politics.
Democratic silence on the
money gap in Tuesday’s 8th District primary tells the real story of
campaign finance. No one really cares. If anyone did, they would make it an
issue.
