In October, 2010, I knew something was wrong as I drove up to work at the radio station that is one of my clients. The station was saturated with ads for this or that Republican candidate, all sponsored by "Americans for Prosperity" or some such. On election day, sure enough, every major Democrat was trounced but one, Governor Lynch. The state swung instantly from bright blue to ruby red. It's hard to win when you're being outspent twenty to one.
Almost two years later, and the same story is being repeated in Wisconsin today.
Is the Republic dead? Does he who has the gold make the rules?
I suppose we'll know for sure in November. But things are not looking good right now. And it's telling that not a single serious effort has been made to overturn Citizens United, whether in Congress or in any state legislature.