Politics 101: Big money buys access

Sunday, September 26, 1999
Politics 101: Big money buys access
Latest local twist: Patton's price list

BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Some of the more cynical followers, and haters, of politics are convinced that candidates can be bought.
There's too much money in the system, they point out. Big-business types turn out with checks in hand for posh campaign fund-raisers not because they are patriotic and want to support a candidate, but because they want something in return. But that's not completely fair to the politicians or the contributors. It's easy to assume that because a donor gives dough to a candidate that something nefarious is taking place.
It is rare, though not unheard of, for graft and corruption to take place when money changes hands in the midst of a campaign.
But money also buys access, meaning that somebody who gives $1,000 to a candidate at election time is probably going to have an easier time getting a phone call through to that pol than someone else might.
Well, the cynics are going to love something we found at last week's $300,000 Democratic Party fund-raiser in Newport with the governor: A price list.
That's essentially what it was. A sheet of paper that detailed the benefits donors receive for joining something called “The Governor's Club,” where the dues range from $2,500 to $10,000.
The money does not go to the governor's campaign. It goes to the Kentucky Democratic Party.
In all fairness, most political parties and campaign committees have similar types of clubs, which are formed to make the big donors feel like they are getting something special for their money.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich used to invite Republicans, including a few locals, to join a special advisory committee he chaired. And it only cost $1,000 to join.
Both the national Democratic and Republican parties reward the really big donors with sky box tickets during the nominating conventions, tickets for golf junkets or trips to political functions at some resort.
Perks of Governor's Club:
• For $10,000 a couple or $7,500 an individual, donors become members of the Governor's Club Platinum. Members are comped a bunch of schmooze fests that include a weekend retreat with the First Couple, a spring gala, a horse race in the fall, the governor's golf tournament and a Christmas party at the governor's mansion.
You also get a “Governor's Club lapel pin to proudly wear and a Governor's Cup certificate that identifies you as a member” of the club.
But there's more. Donors also receive — now don't everybody get out their checkbooks at once — a Kentucky Democratic Party newsletter.
Oh boy. All that for only $10,000. What a deal.
• A donation of $5,000 wins entry into the Governor's Club Gold. Members still get the freebies to the spring gala, the horse race and the Christmas party, but don't hold you breath for invitations to the golf tournament or the weekend retreat with Gov. Paul Patton and wife Judi.
You still get that snazzy lapel pin and certificate, and, of course, the party newsletter.
• Now we're down in the economy level, where a $2,500 gets you into the Governor's Club Silver.
You're welcome at the gala and the Christmas party, but unless you're carrying somebody's clubs, cleaning hotel rooms or riding a horse, forget about the golf outing, weekend retreat and horse race.
You won't care about missing that retreat, though. Just put on your lapel pin and sit back with the party newsletter. Even at this low donor level, the party hands out those goodies like they're Halloween candy.
It doesn't take a political genius to figure out what donors to this or any other candidate or political party really get for their money. The chance to rub elbows with Mr. Patton and other Democratic Party officials, officeholders and candidates at lots of mostly private events.
The more you pay, the more access you get.
That's politics, American-style. As long as the same pols who benefit from big cash donations are controlling legislation on campaign finance laws — from city council to Congress — you can bet the dollars will flow.
Losing a good one
We take a lot of shots at the pols in this space and probably don't pat enough backs.
So we must say something nice about Beth Rose, a class act who has given up her seat on Fort Mitchell City Council and is about to leave the Kenton County Republican Women's Club. We'll miss her.
Ms. Rose is following husband Phil to Orange, Calif., where he works as an executive in a drug company. She will finish her term as president of the women's club, which ends in November, but will then for the most part leave the local political scene.
“We're keeping our home in Fort Mitchell, and we'll be back for holidays, spring break and summer,” Ms. Rose said. “But a great deal of our life is now on the West Coast and I'm unable to fulfill my obligations to the citizens of Fort Mitchell because I'm not available to them on a full-time basis.”
Fort Mitchell residents interested in Ms. Rose's council seat should attend the Oct. 4 City Council meeting, and bring a resume.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net.
CROWLEY ARCHIVE