The numbers don't lie. And the new numbers, from CFI's latest study of the Presidential race, show that large donors--surprise, surprise--are still the most important to candidates' fundraising and thus continue to wield enormous power over the results.
This summarizes the findings in no uncertain terms:
Large and Small Contributions: As the 2008 presidential candidates are setting records for primary fundraising, they are drawing two-thirds of their total individual contributions from large $1,000 and up donations - mostly maximum $2,300 contributions. Just 21% of the money is coming from $200 and under contributions, slightly more than the 18% of 2003 and 20% of 1999. So, despite the rise of small giving on the Internet, and the emphasis by some campaigns on their small donor fundraising, little has changed overall in the balance between large and small contributions in presidential primaries.
We've called for and continue to push for
full public financing of Congressional races, and an update to the outdated Presidential public financing system, to eliminate the massive advantage held by wealthy campaign donors and their lobbyists. The data from campaign after campaign shows how imbalanced the power is in this system of privately financed elections.
Take a look at the CFI study numbers and see for yourself... as if you're not already convinced.
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