Koelemay's Kosmos

Doug Koelemay


 

The Platinum Party Card

 

Money can't buy love -- but it can buy a leadership position with a political party.


 

If you think that Virginia Republican Party leaders are hot right now, wait until Virginia Senator Russ Potts, R-Winchester, appears at the polls on June 14 to vote in the Republican primary. Boom! Potts, of course, is being pilloried by the state central  committee and the local GOP committee for announcing his intention to run for governor as an independent Republican in the November general elections, rather than in the Republican primary. The committees have concluded, therefore, that Potts has forfeited his place in the Republican Party, something the frank and exuberant Senator says is a matter for himself and his maker to determine.

But any registered voter in Virginia can present himself or herself at the proper polling place on June 14th to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries. So will it be “Katy, bar the door” for Potts? Imagine the poll workers trying to mind their own business that day in Winchester. If Potts still can vote Republican, what good is it to be in charge of the political party? Worse, what if there is another way for Russ Potts or any Virginian to achieve a leadership position quickly?

It turns out there is an easy way, an old-fashioned way, to become a party leader -- write a check. Parties that are very particular, even freaky, about which candidates get to run for office with their brand always find it difficult to turn down money, regardless of who it comes from. Most of the time, $20 or $50 is all it takes to join a local party committee and become part of the structure that passes judgment on fellow party members. Donate $500 or $1,000 and you are on your way to party leadership, which means you can make broad public statements to the media about passing judgment on fellow party members.

So, any Virginia political party member who recently has reaffirmed that affiliation with his maker should bone up on this Option B. A review of two invitations to leadership, for example, that arrived last week in my neighborhood addressed to a non-Republican friend is instructive. The catalyst for such consideration seems to have been one modest contribution to a Republican candidate for office.

The first big invitation is from the Republican National Committee, which informs my friend that his “exemplary record of loyalty and patriotism  proves you are the caliber of leader President Bush can count on ....” The letter is from RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, who adds that “this is an exclusive honor offered only to an elite few selected from each state ....” Apparently, giving a Republican a campaign contribution speaks louder than actually being a Republican.

“It is therefore my distinct privilege as Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) to present you with your 2005 Republican Party President’s Club Platinum Card on behalf of President Bush and every Republican leader nationwide.” This is very cool! Admittedly, the fine print says that activating the Republican Party President’s Club Platinum Card will cost $1,000, but, heh, the opportunity to give “advice and community insights” at an upcoming President’s Club meeting? Priceless.

Even more important are the assurances  on the back of the RNC Platinum Card that the card is issued “in recognition of an extraordinary level of commitment to the Republican ideals and values that are the foundation of our Party and our country. The bearer of this card should be given special consideration by all Republican leaders as one who has provided the lifeblood of our Party over many years.” That sounds like a card Russ Potts or any other Republican in trouble with the state central committee could present to get out of primary free. Remember, it’s a bargain at $1,000. Membership does have its privileges.

The second invitation comes a day later from former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, who is now running hard for the Republican nomination for governor. What a coincidence. It’s almost as though the direct mail fundraising firms for the RNC and the Virginians for Kilgore campaign are working from the same mailing lists! Kilgore’s maker apparently has counseled that all other Republicans running for governor should be in his primary, not in the general election. So candidate Kilgore invites my non-Republican friend to join his Kilgore Leadership Council by donating $500, $1,000 or even $5,000. The Kilgore Leadership Council, Kilgore assures us, will  be the “group of friends I’ll depend on most for advice and support throughout the course of the campaign.” Attending special meetings, special briefings and even a special golf and tennis retreat as part of the deal? Priceless.

My friend points out that the Democratic Party, of course, has the same kind of “membership” groups to boost fund-raising and issues cards, as do the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Capital One, the Little League Booster Club and almost every other group imaginable. That observation strengthens the view that political parties are among the broadest membership groups and that they have two big membership criteria -- pay your dues, write a check. That’s what a big tent strategy requires. And one of the oldest sayings in politics is that it’s better to have competitors inside the tent, than outside, well, chucking things in.

But if you think Virginia Republican leaders are a little cold about who gets to stay in the tent now, consider the possibility of Senator Potts capturing the imagination of a plurality of voters in November as an independent Republican and readying himself for the inauguration in Williamsburg in January 2006. That would be big tent moment. My friend probably would jump at the chance to join the Potts Leadership Council then -- a platinum, “no hassle” card definitely would help -- and use his membership to enjoy a revival of the Cole Porter hit show, “Kiss Me Kate.” Priceless.

 

-- March 28, 2005

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact info

 

J. Douglas Koelemay

Managing Director

Qorvis Communications

8484 Westpark Drive

Suite 800

McLean, Virginia 22102

Phone: (703) 744-7800

Fax:    (703) 744-7994

Email:   dkoelemay@qorvis.com

 

More about Doug Koelemay