Carl Lindner and Richard Farmer, are you paying attention?
In an exclusive at the Politico Web site this week, reporters obtained a copy of a confidential PowerPoint presentation created by the Republican National Committee about how it intends on raising money during this election cycle.—-
The document describes wealthy donors as “ego-driven” who can be persuaded to ante up with offers of access and “tchochkes.” Another of their motivations is listed as “peer to peer pressure.”
The 72-page document saves most of its scorn, however, for smaller donors. It lists one of their primary motivations as “fear”; it further describes them as having “extreme negative feelings toward existing administration” and being “reactionary.”
The GOP’s average contribution last year was $40, the document revealed. Overall, the RNC raised $81 million in 2009.
This year’s goal is to raise $8.6 million from major donors.
The RNC’s playbook for raising cash for this year’s House and Senate campaigns relies on heavy use of the theme, "Save the country from trending toward Socialism!”
Some of the Republican Party’s largest contributors hail from Greater Cincinnati, particularly the tony Indian Hill suburb.
Farmer, CEO of Mason-based Cintas Corp. and his family have given more than $1.9 million in political contributions during the past decade to Republican candidates and groups, and Farmer was the 15th largest fund-raiser for George W. Bush’s 2000 election.
Lindner, founder of the United Dairy Farmers convenience store chain, was listed as a “super ranger” in 2004 by the RNC for raising at least $300,000 for George W. Bush’s reelection campaign. He also donated $250,000 for Bush’s second inauguration ceremony.
Remember that the next time you're standing in line complaining about the cost of a Brown Cow or a Sherbet Freeze.
