Smiling for Dollars

The fundraising endgame.


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Published: Sep 18, 2007

In the waning days before November's general election, campaign fundraising efforts for mayoral candidates Michael Nutter and Al Taubenberger have increased, with funds needed to buy TV time and run print ads.

As the Democrat, Nutter clearly holds the advantage in collecting checks since the perception is that he may very well win, while the Republican Taubenberger has a tougher time. On the other hand, could the perception of Nutter as a shoo-in change the dynamic of his fundraising if supporters don't think he needs the money? Or they will give so they have access to the next mayor?

Nutter and Cardwell

Hugh E. Dillon

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

With a variety of fundraisers hosted by different groups being held across town, who is going to these events and why? Different groups are getting together to fundraise for Nutter; they include those in real estate and the business world, women, and the gay and lesbian community. For example, last Thursday, Thom Cardwell, Will Cafiero and James Duggan hosted a fundraiser geared toward gay and lesbian voters at the William Way Community Center. It brought in more than $8,000. Cardwell said it was about access, not just money.

"This event wasn't all about those able to write the largest checks," explained Cardwell. "Instead, its focus was for those individuals who usually feel that they're shut out of political fundraisers because of costs. It was about affordability and accessibility to Nutter. His campaign was fine with the concept."

There, Nutter promised gay and lesbian inclusion in his administration.

"Philadelphia can become a great city, all the indicators are there, but we have to work together in a dedicated and concerted way to accomplish this," said Nutter. "City government can't do it without the support and help of its citizens. I urge many of you to consider serving on boards and commissions to move the city forward. I intend to open up the doors of City Hall to your concerns and issues."

And while there were gays for Nutter, there were also women for him over at Moore College, where Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin came out for Nutter on Monday.

Asked whether some might be trying to convert dollars into political capital, Nutter's communications director Melanie Johnson disagreed with the perception that people were attending Nutter's fundraisers for access. They were there because they believe that he is a reformer.

"Michael's support goes beyond the party line," she said. "People support what he stands for rather than access. They see him as a reformer and someone who can get things done."

She also pointed out that Nutter raised the most money in the Democratic primary.

For Taubenberger, however, campaign operatives say that already being considered an also-ran has helped him with fundraising. "Money's coming in because people like Al. And they like his message," said Taubenberger's media consultant Elliott Curson. "Al is not getting the access vote, he's getting the good-government vote."

Taubenberger's first-wave TV ads, which started airing this week, portray him as the "underdog."

Curson added that all the publicity about Taubenberger, who is president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, having to try so hard is actually helping. While easy money raised will be used for the high cost of TV, early fall is the time when the negative ads start.

Campaign consultants know that negative ads work when candidates are trying to get their messages across. Focus groups say that they remember a negative ad more than a positive one.

In his long career composing ads for various Republican clients, Curson has done his share of effective negative ads.But that is not the strategy the Taubenberger campaign will employ in its efforts to beat Nutter."Al keeps getting asked if he's going to go negative. He's probably been to 30 or more candidate forums and sat next to Michael at virtually all of them. They've come to know, like and respect each other," said Curson. "Three days after the election, they met for lunch at the Mercer Cafe and agreed not to go negative. But even without that agreement, I don't think they would. It's not that kind of race."

(rcpatel@aol.com)