Rob Schaaf: Money Buys Fear
on Wednesday, July 22, 2015Rob Schaaf Money Quotation saying elected officials often fear opponents with big money donors and do their bidding without getting donations. Rob Schaaf said:
“Money buys fear. If you have money, and if you show that you’re willing to use it, elected officials will fear that you will fund their opponents. Because of this, many of them will do what you want without you so much as giving them a dime” — Rob Schaaf
In this quote, Rob Schaaf is highlighting how the threat of major financial opposition can influence politicians even without any money changing hands. His view is that merely demonstrating one’s ability and willingness to spend large sums against a candidate or policy is often enough to instill “fear” in elected officials and coerce their actions.
Schaaf seems to be suggesting that officials will preemptively support special interests’ preferences out of apprehension that those interests could fund damaging campaigns against them if displeased.
The quote conveys Schaaf’s belief that the disproportionate political power enabled by unlimited money in politics means wealthy groups and individuals can indirectly shape policy outcomes simply by officials fearing potential future funding of opponents, rather than through direct donations.