Politics

Democrats discuss party disillusionment, donor culture

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(NewsNation) — Evan Barker, a former Democratic campaign fundraiser who recently penned the op-ed “I Worked for Democrats for Years. Billionaires Have Unfettered Influence” told “CUOMO” her time working with her former heroes left her uninspired.

“I went to the DNC hoping to feel reinspired. I really, really did. And instead, while I was there, I felt sad because I saw a candidate that was picked not by the people, but by the donors, and everyone just seemed to be happily going along with it.

She said the Chicago convention had corporation and media suites next to the donor’s, a reality she said, “really spells it all out for you.”


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Democratic megadonor John Morgan also weighs in on “the game” of funding, placing blame on conservative nonprofit group Citizens United, which challenged campaign finance rules in a landmark case in 2010.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of less regulation on campaign donations from corporations, nonprofit organizations, labor unions and more.

Morgan said that, while that ruling is to blame for the blurred lines between business interests and politics, it’s the law of the land — and Democrats should use it as needed.

“But here’s the deal, Chris, if you’re going to play the game and somebody gets to have five players, are you going to play with three when you can play with five? I don’t think so,” he said.