Of one thing I was certain while  I sat glued—shocked, angered, and saddened– to the televised Impeachment trial:  Despite the proceedings’ gravity in the real world, over in the world of political fundraising it would be business-as-usual.  Solemnity, good taste and dignity wouldn’t stand a chance.

And as sure as an 82-slide presentation at a fundraising conference the politicians delivered.  Within minutes of the opening of Trump’s second impeachment trial to the bitter end, the flood of solicitations swamped my inbox.

There’s no question that Donald Trump has proved a powerful magnet for small –and large—dollar fundraising from the time he descended the elevator in Trump Tower to announce his candidacy in 2015 through today.

And judging from the flood of solicitations this past Impeachment Week, his mark as a golden goose money machine has not yet faded.  Politicians and causes on all sides are taking full advantage before the golden glow fades.

Many, many politicians,  from Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky  [“I’m asking you to stand with me today as I fight for you.”] … to Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat from New Jersey [ “ Add your name to urge every member of the Senate to vote to convict and disqualify Donald Trump for inciting an insurrection.”  ]… to Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are blasting their emails out into the ether.

Some, like Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas left no doubt about their “impartiality” as jurors. [ “This absurd trial is 100% partisan theater and nothing more. It is vindictive and WRONG,” ].  Others held back on asking directly for money and resort to more “tasteful” polls and surveys.

There was no doubt in my mind that as soon as the impeachment verdict was in there’d gonna be tsunamis of vitriol and warnings on both sides as previewed by the subject line of this email sent in the middle of the trial by the reelection committee of Rep. Cori Bush, Democrat of Missouri.  [ “Convict the white supremacist-in-chief,“]. And within minutes after the verdict was rendered the barrage continued including appeals to both thank and protect impeachment manager Rep.  Jamie Raskin Democrat of Maryland “the NUMBERONE TARGET for seditionist Republicans.”

If you’re part of the digitalarti who digs into the weeds on these things, you’ll find the Archive of Political Emailsa source of eternal excavation. And for an analysis on the wanton trafficking political email lists you’ll find our post Political Hypocrites—The Digital Variety   packed with additional information and insights.

Speaking of hypocrisy…. of course the main beneficiaries of this impeachment email blizzard—the politicians themselves—are taking steps to distance themselves while also covering themselves in a thick coating of good taste and dignity.  “If that’s happening, I want to make sure we’re not part of it”, says Republican Senator Mike Braun of Indiana… while Sen. Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa told the political newsletter Axios, “I’m not doing that, by the way. But every senator is his own independent voice. He’s got to make up his own mind.”

So,  the beat goes on.  The Golden Ghost of Donald Trump continues to haunt our in-boxes.

Roger