http://www.gazette.net/stories/061908/sykenew154754_32359.shtml

Fundraisers put to test in down economy

Most pols aren't seeing donations decline

Alan Brody | Gazette Staff Writer

June 19, 2008

When Del. Nicholaus R. Kipke planned his first major fundraiser since being elected in 2006, he expected a modest turnout of about 80 supporters.

Instead, roughly 200 people paid $100 a head to hobnob with Kipke (R-Dist. 31) of Pasadena and former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. last week, raking in more than $20,000 for Kipke's campaign, double his previous high fundraising total.

Even as gas prices have surpassed $4 a gallon throughout most of the state and energy bills have soared, Maryland politicos have continued to ask donors for financial support - and, in many cases, they are finding little resistance.

‘‘People have less and less disposable income," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach, who drew about 250 people to his $1,000-a-head fundraiser in Baltimore last week. ‘‘They're buying hamburger instead of steak, they're putting off trips to the dentist and they're putting more and more in the gas tank."

Still, few politicians have been bitten by the slumping economy. About 150 people attended a fundraiser last week for House Economic Matters Chairman Dereck E. Davis (D-Dist. 25) of Upper Marlboro, while Del. Michael L. Vaughn had a record turnout of 153 golfers for his annual fundraising tournament late last month.

‘‘You set guidelines for what you'd like to see, but if someone falls short, it's not like you hand it back and say, ‘That's not enough,'" said Vaughn (D-Dist. 24) of Bowie, who charged $200 per golfer.

‘‘I try not to get into other people's pocketbooks," echoed Davis, who estimated raising about $70,000.

Logic holds that people might curtail their political contributions when times are tough, but it hasn't happened - at least not yet - said Rachael E. Rice, a Democratic fundraiser whose clients include Davis, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr.

‘‘For better or worse, I think people have the expectation that [politicians] will continue to fundraise," she said. When she opened her firm in Bel Air shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she expected donor numbers to drop, but it didn't happen.

‘‘My guess is people who give are generally in better position" financially to withstand an economic downturn, Rice said. ‘‘Many donors are in the upper-to-middle class and have more resources."

Although the next election for state lawmakers is more than two years away, the competitive presidential election has engaged donors to contribute at all levels, several lawmakers said.

‘‘I thought maybe it might be tougher being the second year of a four-year term, but with it being a presidential election year, people are actually focused," said Del. Sue Kullen (D-Dist. 27B) of Port Republic, whose $75-a-head birthday fundraiser last month drew more than 100 supporters.

‘‘Whether the economy is up or down, when it's a presidential year people are more energized," said Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) of West Friendship, who is holding a $75-a-head reception next week.

The push for presidential donors isn't taking money away from other politicians, Rice said. ‘‘I don't think it's an either-or."

But the down economy means individuals and businesses who can afford to make political contributions have even more influence than usual, Common Cause Maryland Executive Director Ryan O'Donnell said.

‘‘I don't imagine Procter & Gamble are around the kitchen table trying to make ends meet," he said. ‘‘Your average Marylander sits around the kitchen table. Corporations sit around the boardroom table, and I think the fact of the matter is corporations aren't people. They contribute value to our society, but it shows again the absurdity of Maryland treating corporations exactly the same as human beings. Many states don't do that."

Such times reinforce the need for public financing of political campaigns to avoid the appearance of political paybacks and make it a more even playing field, O'Donnell said.

The foundering economy itself sometimes causes people to donate ‘‘because they want to see candidates who are willing to fix the economy, cut their taxes and are willing to cut government waste," Maryland Republican Party Executive Director Justin Ready said.

About 400 Republicans - twice as many as last year - attended this year's annual Red, White and Blue Dinner, a sign that the GOP may be rebounding after a disastrous 2006 election.

‘‘2007 was a tough year for Republicans," Ready said. ‘‘The elections of 2006 were tough and there were a lot of folks who weren't ready to get right back up. People have more enthusiasm this year."

Some politicians are tempering their fundraising expectations or casting a wider net in hopes of attracting more donors.

‘‘The people that were writing $100 checks are now writing $50 checks," said Del. James J. King (R-Dist. 33A) of Gambrills, who held a post-session fundraiser last month.

Getting supporters to commit their time is sometimes more valuable than collecting their money, said Del. Peter F. Murphy (D-Dist. 28) of Bryans Road, who does not accept PAC money and won his seat in 2006 largely through grassroots fundraising.