WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats running for the White House rail against the flood of campaign cash that courses through the political system. But it's becoming clear that those pledges often come with asterisks.
Bernie Sanders wants to crack down on groups that do outside spending, though one is allied with his campaign.
Elizabeth Warren has vowed no untraceable "dark money" will help her, despite being backed by an organization that doesn't disclose some of its donors.
And Pete Buttigieg (BOO'-tuh-juhj) accepted lobbyist money — until he didn't.
It's part of an effort to appease a progressive Democratic Party base that believes rich donors and corporate interests wield too much influence over elections.
But what often sounds like an iron-clad promise from a candidate frequently includes subtle caveats and omissions.