Different Party, Different Tactic

FS: Kiss of death … what is it for this audience?
HM: Waffling on issues or being too far ahead in the polls. High-dollar donors flock to the expected winner. Direct-mail donors give to candidates they believe need the money.

FS: Do people give to parties, causes or candidates?
HM: They give to all three but, at least on the Democratic side, giving to candidates through direct mail has been declining. More of the giving has focused on causes and, in recent years, party fundraising has made something of a comeback.