Martin’s not lying about the fundraising — the DNC really has out-raised its own 2017-18 pace, and “cash on hand” really isn’t the same metric as “money raised.” That part checks out.
But here’s what the essay skips: the RNC isn’t just outraising the DNC on some technicality, it’s sitting on nine figures with zero debt while the DNC is $2 million underwater. You can spend early and still end up broke at the exact moment you need leverage. “A party isn’t a savings account” is a fine line in a Substack post. It’s a less fine line in October when Republicans are outspending you three-to-one in the districts that decide the majority.
The real test isn’t the receipts. It’s whether all that early investment in state parties and organizers actually shows up as turnout in November. If it does, Martin’s vindicated and the consultants look foolish. If it doesn’t, “we spent it on infrastructure” becomes the epitaph, not the defense. Right now it’s a bet, not a proof.
Justice!! Thanks for the excellent work you are doing and continuing to do Ariella.
🧑🏻⚖️
Martin’s not lying about the fundraising — the DNC really has out-raised its own 2017-18 pace, and “cash on hand” really isn’t the same metric as “money raised.” That part checks out.
But here’s what the essay skips: the RNC isn’t just outraising the DNC on some technicality, it’s sitting on nine figures with zero debt while the DNC is $2 million underwater. You can spend early and still end up broke at the exact moment you need leverage. “A party isn’t a savings account” is a fine line in a Substack post. It’s a less fine line in October when Republicans are outspending you three-to-one in the districts that decide the majority.
The real test isn’t the receipts. It’s whether all that early investment in state parties and organizers actually shows up as turnout in November. If it does, Martin’s vindicated and the consultants look foolish. If it doesn’t, “we spent it on infrastructure” becomes the epitaph, not the defense. Right now it’s a bet, not a proof.