Biden nets fundraising windfall in 2-day Florida swing

[George II]

Joe Biden collected at least $1.7 million this week from two Florida fundraisers, underscoring the former vice president’s pull with big-dollar Democratic donors and his front-runner status in a crowded presidential primary.

The twin fundraisers in the Miami and Orlando areas capped a month-long coast-to-coast cash dash by Biden, who spent the eve of his campaign announcement fretting about whether he could raise the money to prove he was the real deal. Biden then went on to shatter first-day fundraising records, as his campaign built an online small-dollar fundraising machine to complement his pursuit of traditional donors who can write max-out checks of $2,800 per election.

Biden’s huge two-day financial haul in Florida highlights the still-ample power of big donors in a Democratic primary field that has put more emphasis on digital dollars. The fundraising schedule and courting of donors by Biden used to be as common for a presidential campaign as printing mailers, but it now stands out as an increasingly vocal progressive wing and its favored candidates — Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders — have cast Biden’s fundraising in a negative light, which his donors resent.

“It’s sour grapes, like saying they wouldn’t join a club that wouldn’t have them as a member anyway,” said John Morgan, the Orlando-area trial lawyer who hosted a Biden fundraiser at his home on Tuesday and said days before the event that he had $1.3 million in donations already committed to Biden.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/21/biden-florida-fundraising-blitz-1338088

[NYMinute]

1. Elections cost money ... a bitter truth Democratic voters understand

This avoidance of large donors didn't exist so blatantly until 2016.

No one should be fighting an election with one arm tied behind their back.

Self righteous uppity slogans, especially used perniciously against our candidates damages the party.

The pejorative innuendo of corruption and "corporatist" smears is asinine and should attract a sharp rebuke.

[TwilightZone]

2. Political reality.

It's going to take a massive amount of cash to run an effective campaign. I think most realize that.

[emmaverybo]

3. Couldn't happen to a nicer feller, and well deserved. nt

[Cha]

4. Yeah, their sour grapes are showing..

those that cast Biden's donations as negative.

We also need money to help push the gaslighting fascists back!

BS doesn't have any room to talk..

Will the Revolution Be Monetized? Bernie Sanders' 'Dark Money' Org

https://www.democraticunderground.com/128792106

[GulfCoast66]

5. John Morgan has done more for the Democratic Party in Florida than anyone else.

He uses his wealth, which he earned, to help our cause.

I was not invited to the event no being that wealthy. But Joe is getting my more modest contribution.

[Cha]

6. Thanks for that

interesting backstory on John Morgan, GulfCoast!

[Demsrule86]

7. I am giving monthly.

[Gothmog]

8. I was a first day contributor and will be making additional contributions

[George II]

9. I was too - I also was a first day contributor to Cory Booker and Kamala Harris.