An arms race for campaign cash now dominates American politics, imperiling our increasingly endangered republic

The instruments of American politics used to include congealed pizza slices and stale doughnuts, fueling staff and volunteers putting together political fundraising appeals. It was a laborious process, but in the immortal words spoken by California’s House Speaker Jess Unruh, money is the mother’s milk of politics.

Technology has transformed campaigning. Instead of addressing envelopes, pressing an index finger on a keyboard can send out zillions of appeals for bucks. Campaign work seems governed by one iron rule: The more you demand, the more you get.

My inbox is driven these days by Donald Trump, both for him and against him.

Consider this appeal from a leading Democratic fundraising organizer. “We will retake our democracy from our new King George,” proclaimed the appeal from former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzi LeVine. Trump counters with a cornucopia of lies and the claim Democrats would “destroy” America.

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2026/02/an-arms-race-for-campaign-cash-now-dominates-american-politics-imperiling-our-increasingly-endangered-republic.html