Elizabeth Warren says she'll reject big money fundraising events
WASHINGTON _ Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said she'll reject big fundraising events and special access for big donors, seeking to bolster her populist credentials with a voting base increasingly dismayed by the influence of money in politics.
The Massachusetts senator told supporters in an email Monday she's swearing off "fancy receptions or big money fundraisers only with people who can write the big checks" and insisted all donors, whether they give $1 or $1,000, will get equal treatment.
"It means that wealthy donors won't be able to purchase better seats or one-on-one time with me at our events. And it means I won't be doing 'call time,' which is when candidates take hours to call wealthy donors to ask for their support," Warren said in the email, which was viewed in advance by Bloomberg News.
Warren has already vowed not to take money from political action committees or align with a super-PAC, which are allowed to raise unlimited amounts from corporations, unions or individuals but aren't permitted to coordinate with candidates. As both parties have refined the ability to raise large sums through small donations from individuals, the influence of big donors has become a target for candidate criticism, particularly Democrats. Surveys show that voters across partisan affiliation believe there's too much money in politics.
_Bloomberg News
