The Democratic Party of the United States was founded in 1812 as a breakaway party from the Democratic-Republican Party (founded in 1792). The ideology of the Democratic Party is typically to the left of the Republican Party, being more liberal than its opponent, and attempts to project a pro-working class image.

This stance has tended to translate to a voter-base amongst the working class, the trade-unionists, and the religious and ethnic minorities. This translates into the sources of funding received by the party in terms of individual and group donations. Funding of presidential campaigns also comes in partly from the public purse, as it does for the Republicans, for both primaries and general elections.

Other money comes in from what are referred to as 527 groups. During the 2004 campaign cycle the top 527 groups to contribute to the Democratic campaign were America Coming Together, Joint Victory Campaign 2004, Media Fund, Service Employees International Union, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

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