Biden finds unexpected success with low-dollar donors

[George II]

Brian Slodysko, Associated Press Updated 3:26 pm CDT, Tuesday, May 21, 201

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden is finding unexpected online fundraising success from low-dollar donors, with more than 97% of his contributions coming from those who gave less than $200, his presidential campaign announced Tuesday.

The former vice president, who last month raised $6.3 million in his first 24 hours as a candidate, was widely expected to do well with conventional big-dollar Democratic donors, who have lasting loyalty to President Barack Obama's No. 2. But it was an open question whether he'd be able to raise small amounts online from the party's base, a metric that is often touted as a demonstration of grassroots support.

His campaign says the newly released figures are a clear sign that he will be able to compete not just with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, whose online fundraising operations led the Democratic field last quarter, but also with President Donald Trump.

"We're continuing to build a robust digital operation that brings new voters to Team Joe and puts our campaign in a position of strength to take on Donald Trump," said Biden digital adviser Brandon English. "On Day One, a record-breaking 65,000 people found us online and donated to Joe Biden. These are people we didn't have email addresses for 24 hours earlier."

The campaign says nearly two-thirds of Biden's donors gave a total of less than $25, with teachers comprising the largest professional block of contributors.

But while Biden's campaign is happy to talk about the percentage of donors who have given small contributions over the internet, including 96,000 who gave during the first 24 hours of his campaign, they won't say how much has been raised online. Meanwhile, much of his recent campaign schedule has centered around high-dollar donor events in Los Angeles and Florida.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Biden-finds-unexpected-success-with-low-dollar-13867403.php

[Cha]

1. Grass Roots, baby!

Mahalo, George!

[Scurrilous]

2. K&R

[TwilightZone]

3. This shouldn't really surprise anyone.

For reasons I don't quite understand, some people seem to assume that only certain candidates are going to appeal to small donors and that Biden wouldn't be one of them.

Considering Biden's seemingly-wide appeal to most demographic groups (at least, so far), it's only natural that his donors would reflect that.

[George II]

4. I can't wait to see his first FEC filing in July. It's likely to finally put to bed....

....the misconceptions of his base and show he truly is a "man of the people".

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. Go! Joe! Go!

[oasis]

6. "If it is what you say, I love it"

[LibFarmer]

7. This is exactly how it is done

Small donors AND large donors all have a stake in the future of this country and its democracy.

Demonizing large donors as "corporatist" or "corrupt" is just an attempt by non-Democrats to hamstring the party.

[NurseJackie]

8. Great news! I wonder if the $27 donation from a receptionist who works at Goldman-Sachs...

Great news!

You know... I wonder if the $27 donation from a receptionist who works at Goldman-Sachs is considered to be a "corporate donation" or "Wall Street money".

Also, I've heard it said that when a NJ pharmacist donates $27 to Booker, that's "BIG PHARMA" corrupting his campaign too.

[MineralMan]

9. I'm not surprised at all.

People like Joe Biden. They want to support his campaign. He's a regular guy, pretty much. That's part of his appeal.