That supposed resurgence of the small donor in today's political campaigns?  Not so much happening for congressional races, as the Campaign Finance Institute explains here. Sure, Barack Obama has had great success recruiting small donors to his presidential campaign but high-dollar donors still rule the day and receive special access, as discussed in this piece for Minnesota Public Radio. The simple fact is that when you have to raise millions, big checks are the most efficient way to do it, even if they come with strings attached and favors promised.