"Right now, anyone who wants
first fund-raiser held in Michigan
for the then-presidential candi- to give money could hit two to
three fund-raisers every week,"
date.
`There were those who asked, Mr. Holtz said.
By October, Mr. Holtz said one
`Who is Bill Clinton?' I had to beg
for people to be there," Ms. could conceivably attend a fund-
Kramer said. "I took people from raiser every night.
Volunteer fund-raisers, who
my husband's law office, which
was in the same building as the are adept at what they do, said it
fund-raiser, just to have bodies takes a certain level of passion to
ask people to support their can-
there."
Fifty people (not including didate.
Some say it is harder to raise
those from her husband's office)
paid between $100 and $250 to money for a politician because of
a distrust of those running for of-
\ attend the event.
The Michigan fund-raiser held fice. Instead, some potential
•
two months later for a better- givers would rather donate to
known Bill Clinton was more nonprofit organizations and char-
successful. Several hundred peo- itable causes.
"There is a skill (to political
ple, each paying $1,000, attend-
fund-raising) because you have
ed.
One thing Ms. Kramer has no- to identify people who have a de-
ticed in her nearly two decades of sire to give. A fund-raiser has to
raising money for politicians is a acquaint the candidate and the
/— proliferation of candidates who candidate's issues with those who
come to the Jewish community have an allegiance to those is-
sues," said Mr. May, who focus-
for help.
`There is a greater recognition es his efforts on Republican
on their part that the Jewish candidates who favor a strong
community does give and that U.S.-Israel relationship.
PHOTO BY GLENN TRIEST
Mr. May also
Oakland Coun-
helps candi-
ty is especially
dates who are
generous. Can-
pro-choice, al-
didates from
though he will
elsewhere come
support pro-life
to Oakland
candidates if he
County hoping
agrees with
for support."
them on other
Ms. Kramer
important is-
said she didn't
sues, like Israel.
see that when
He is interested
• she started out.
in candidates
But those
•
with "moderate
who work on the
but meaningful
campaigns of
stances on civil
area candidates
rights" and will
said while the
help those who
Jewish commu-
believe in the
nity is impor-
development of
tant, there are
Detroit.
others who con- Alan May is not inviting you to a
Mr. Holtz,
• tribute at the football game.
who is raising
same levels.
"Clearly we have a number of money for the campaigns of Bill
Jewish people who have stepped Clinton, Carl Levin, Debbie
up and supported Joe Knollen- Stabenow and a handful ofjudi-
berg, and that makes a differ- cial candidates, said most people
ence," said Paul Welday, Rep. are hesitant to engage in fund-
Knollenberg's campaign strate- raising because they are afraid to
gist. "But we have a diverse and ask others for money.
"The truth is, it's really easy.
broad-based group who support
You just have to get over that hes-
the congressman."
This year's fund-raising sea- itation," he said.
Ms. Newman added, "You
son, according to Mr. Holtz, be-
have to be willing to ask for mon-
gan much earlier than usual.
Typically, the calls start in ey and then continually ask for
February of an election year. But money. Then you have to get peo-
on Jan. 2, Mr. Holtz returned ple to give it to you. The first rule
• from a vacation to hear five tele- in fund-raising is you have to
phone messages related to fund- start with friends and family and
raising. He speculates the early then branch out. It's a building
start relates to the high number process.
"People want to be involved.
of candidates seeking office.
Last week, invitations to three You find people who give money
fund-raisers sat on his desk. All for two reasons. There are those
were sent by people he has so- who give out of love. These peo-
ple want to be involved with a
licited in the past.
Those who solicit friends and particular candidate.
\
`Then there are those who give
acquaintances expect to make
contributions to other people's out of fear. This type of person
candidates. Ms. Kramer de- gives because someone important
scribed it as quid pro quo. Those to them has asked them to
• who call have to expect calls, too. give." ❑
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