The totals are gross, as in eww…. Might as well be 50 billion, or 26 billion. The amount of money spent in a presidential campaign long ago moved beyond reasonable and has languished in shameful territory for a while now.
Basically, it represents the deep pockets of special interests and influence peddlers and their voracious appetites for trying to ensure that their views prevail and their businesses benefit.
They behave as if there is some magic connection between amount donated and level of success and reciprocity. It didn’t work in 2020, for people like the Koch brothers, and hopefully again this year. Still, imagine having that kind of money to spend.
No one gives big money without expecting something in return, at least when it comes to winning elections. And even the nickel and dime donations come with expectations.
Voters with functioning bullshit meters can still have the final say, though, no matter how deep the opposition’s pockets are.
3 Cents' 