US parties exploit Russia probe to raise campaign cash

Bloomberg

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation hasn’t yet become a top issue for most voters. But when it comes to fundraising, Democrats and Republicans battling for control of Congress in November are using the probe to cash in.
Some Democrats are pitching to donors that they’ll prevent Mueller’s ouster or other interference by President Donald Trump. Republicans are telling contributors that they need to keep control of Congress to block the president’s impeachment or continued “witch hunts” by Democrats who want him out of office.
While polls show the broad cross-section of voters are mostly focussed the economy, healthcare, immigration and other issues, the Mueller investigation into possible Trump campaign links to Russia’s election interference and the prospect of an attempt to impeach the president energizes core voters—and loyal donors—from both parties.
Democrats are fighting to flip at least 23 Republican-held seats in November to win a majority in the House. The party will have a tougher time gaining control of the Senate, where they have 26 seats to defend, compared with just eight for
Republicans —one of the most politically skewed Senate-election maps in history.
With a majority in either chamber, Democrats could expand existing congressional Russia investigations or start new ones. Some Democrats want to pursue impeachment even though party leaders say that’s not on their agenda. That could change depending on the outcome of the probe.
David Richardson, a self-described progressive who is one of five Democrats running for a South Florida House seat being vacated by Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, is among those trying to raise money by raising the prospect of impeaching Trump. An email from his campaign this month said: “Unless we win here, we’ll have no chance to pass Medicare for All, no chance to ban assault weapons, and no chance to finally impeach Donald Trump.”
Richardson campaign consultant Eric Johnson said a separate impeachment-themed video released this month —designed as a fundraising appeal —“is getting tremendous response.” The appeal pokes fun at how Democratic candidates aren’t supposed to mention impeachment but says Richardson isn’t afraid to do so in advance of an August 28 primary.
A series of solicitations by the Democratic party have been focused more on protecting Muller and his work from threats by Trump to dismiss him.
“It’s clear the only way we will EVER learn the truth about Trump’s Russian ties is if Robert Mueller finishes his investigation,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a July email that asked supporters to sign a petition to protect the special counsel, and to send donations.