Political Fundraisers Heat Up in August
Four Presidential Hopefuls Will Appear on the Island Over Next Three
Weeks: Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Romney
By MIKE SECCOMBE
August, as everyone knows, is the high season of the fundraiser,
particularly the political fundraiser, on the Vineyard, the time when
those with party affiliations and deep pockets hobnob and write checks.
But the Island has never seen an August like this one. Over the
coming couple of weeks four of the leading contenders for the next
Presidency of the United States, plus one past President and the current
chairman of the Democratic National Committee will all be here, seeking
help to defray the astronomical cost of American democracy.
In rapid succession the Island will host events for presidential
hopefuls Sen. Hillary Clinton (accompanied by Bill), Barack Obama, John
Edwards, Mitt Romney and DNC chairman Howard Dean.
And apart from the sheer political weight of the people who are
coming, the other distinguishing feature of this round of fundraisers is
that they are not all happening under the radar.
Instead of the usual, discreet, high-cost private functions at the
homes of some wealthy supporter or other, several are advertising their
appearances and at least three of the Democrat-sponsored events will
actually be pitched within the price range of ordinary people.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/08/10/content/hillary_clinton_sm.jpg" The most popular ticket among them will clearly be the Making
History event being organized by Clinton supporters for Saturday, August
25, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle. It sounds more
like a rally-cum-concert-cum-family event than a fundraiser.
"A Vineyard Evening with Hillary and President William
Jefferson Clinton," declares the paid advertisement, "with
special guests Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and friends."
As for who the advertised friends will be, Ms. Steenburgen would not
say when contacted on Wednesday, because the lineup of entertainment is
not yet final. "But a wonderful wealth of people are lining up to
perform," she said.
The cost of admission is $50, but those who want to bring the kids
and sit on the lawns outside can come for free.
A similar event will be held on Nantucket on August 24.
The idea for the event came not from campaign headquarters, Ms.
Steenburgen said, but "from some of us who felt we wanted an event
that lots of people who love the Clintons on the Island could go to,
that they could afford.
"When it got run by Hillary, she got really excited by it,
because she loves the place, loves the Tabernacle."
Which may sound like standard political spiel, except for the
Clintons' long association with the Island since the days when it
served as the Summer White House, and the fact that in pure fund-raising
terms it will be a pretty modest gig.
More serious money is likely to come from another, more standard
fund-raiser the Clintons will attend, billed as a town hall conversation
and reception at the home of Carol and Frank Biondi in Edgartown at 7
p.m. the same night. Attendance at the reception will cost $1,000 and
those who also want the conversation will have to ante up $2,300 (the
maximum an individual can contribute under the law).
Another variation on the theme of making the campaign accessible to
ordinary people will be played out on Friday August 24 when John and
Elizabeth Edwards come to the Island.
There will be a fundraiser at the home of Alex H. MacDonald and
Maureen A. Strafford in Chilmark, with admission set at $50 a head.
"And for every additional $50 donation, people will be
entitled to bring one guest," said Mr. MacDonald. It was hoped in
that way to encourage people who might not otherwise come, particularly
year-round Islanders.
Mr. MacDonald said the timing of the event is still being worked
out, but it probably will start at 6 or 7 p.m. There might also be a
high-cost exclusive function later, although that also is still in the
works.
Conversation with the chairman of the Democratic National Committee,
Howard Dean, will also come at a relatively reasonable ticket price. On
Thursday, August 16 at 4:30 p.m., Vineyard Democrats will host a
$50-a-head function at the home of Connie Borde on East Chop in pursuit
of both funds and membership. Money raised will go to no particular
candidate.
"This is about two things - money and commitment,"
Mrs. Borde said yesterday, reflecting the rising excitement as the
Vineyard prepares to be a stage for national party fund-raising.
Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate currently second in the
polls behind Hillary Clinton, also is down to attend a variety of events
on the Island, although the planning seems less advanced than that of
the Clinton campaign.
The one certainty is that there will be a fundraiser at the home of
Judith and Ron Davenport in Oak Bluffs which will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
on Wednesday, August 29.
Those who go will want deep pockets, however. It will cost $1,000 to
attend the indoor function, $1,000 to attend the outdoor function (under
a marquee outside) or $2,300 for both.
Senator Obama's campaign Web site also lists two other events,
although no one in the Obama camp returned repeated calls this week to
elaborate on the details or even confirm if they were going ahead.
One was described as a "book signing for Senator Obama, hosted
by several regions of the Howard University Alumni Association" at
2 p.m. on August 23 in Oak Bluffs. The site said nine people had
registered so far. Although it was on his Web site, it also said the
campaign office had yet to confirm it would go ahead.
The other possible event was scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
on August 30 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. No cost is
stipulated and as of Thursday afternoon, the site showed one confirmed
attendee.
Mitt Romney, one of the front runners for the Republican
presidential nomination, will hold his first fund-raiser on the Island
next Saturday, August 18, at the home of Kate and Jim Sims in Oak
Bluffs.
The cost of entry is lower than either of his two Democratic rivals.
It will cost $500 a head to attend the general reception, which starts
at 7 p.m. Those who contribute $1,000 will attend what is termed a
leadership reception, starting at 6:30 p.m., and those who pay $2,300
will have a photo opportunity added.
Although he is a former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney is a
virtual stranger to the Island, unlike predecessors William Weld and
Paul Cellucci, who both made official visits to the Vineyard nearly
every year when they held office. Mr. Romney's campaign Web site
indicates he will not be getting to know the place much better this
time; he has no public events scheduled.
Comments
Comment policy »