Comcast Executives Give Big to Biden

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by Thomas Neuburger

It's easy to make the obvious connection between MSNBC's owner Comcast and the deplorable (yes, that word again) behavior of its hosts and invited guests. It beggars thought not to make it.

Still, details — tangible connections — are sometimes lacking. Yes, there was the financing of the 2016 Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. But what about this cycle?

Here to help inform us is Sludge (yes, a real name and a good site):

MSNBC’s Owners Shower Biden With Campaign Cash

94% of Comcast executives’ and vice presidents’ contributions to Democratic presidential candidates have gone to Joe Biden, a Sludge review of FEC records finds.

The most influential cable news channel among liberals, MSNBC, has a habit of taking cheap shots against one of the leading Democratic presidential contenders.

According to prime time host Chris Matthews, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) is not the type of person who would help you if you were lying on the side of the road injured. A self-proclaimed body language expert who was a guest of weekend host Joy Reid speculated that Sanders lied during the most recent debate because of the 78-year-old candidate’s slouched posture. “He turtles,” the guest said. “His eye level is below his shoulders. This is trying to hide in plain sight.”

The prime-time hosts have done much worse since this piece was written in January. But can we draw a line between the behavior of MSNBC and the behavior of its owner?

Yes, we can:

A Sludge review of Federal Election Commission records shows Biden is the preferred candidate of the station’s owners, the behemoth Comcast Corporation.

Biden has received 17 large campaign contributions from executives and vice presidents at Comcast, including eight for the legal maximum of $2,800. Of all the other candidates still in the race, only South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg has received any Comcast executive contributions—Buttigieg received a single contribution from Comcast Managing Director Amy Banse.

In addition, Comcast’s top lobbyist, David Cohen, co-hosted Biden’s kick-off fundraiser in April and he is listed as a bundler for the campaign, meaning that he has collected at least $25,000 in contributions from others for Biden.

The chart at the top shows the full list of Comcast's executives' financial support of Biden's campaign as of the date of publication, excluding super PAC and dark money support, of course.

The reason for this all-for-Biden teamwork should also be obvious. Aside from the usual corporate animus (actually hatred) for Sanders and his policies, there's an issue dear to Comcast's cold corporate heart that Biden is particularly good on and Sanders is particularly bad on — net neutrality. Read the rest of the Sludge piece for the details.

All in all, Comcast love is a sweet deal for Biden and his campaign. He may have his own network again. All he needs now to do is look viable after the next few races and he's back in business.