Dark Money Dominates as U.S. Political Parties Face Identity Crisis
American political party organizations have significantly weakened since the post-World War II era, largely supplanted by dark money from undisclosed donors. This shift has created a vacuum in the political landscape, leaving voters without clear guidance on how to vote. Traditionally, political parties have played crucial roles in establishing platforms, recruiting candidates, conducting campaigns, and pursuing platform objectives once in government. However, these roles have diminished as control over nominations has shifted from party leaders to primaries, and in some cases, like California, parties may not even have a candidate on the general election ballot. This transition, while seemingly democratic, has left voters with limited knowledge of issues and candidates, undermining the rationale for political parties to provide voting cues. 
