Yesterday’s mail brought me two letters from John McCain, each asking for money in a slightly different way. I’ve accepted the unfortunate reality that supporting a candidate I feel strongly about means I get on that candidate’s mailing list and will not be left alone until at least November, if then. I know that, for good or ill, it takes tons of money to get elected President of the United States. That’s why I’ve contributed to a political campaign for the first time in my life. John McCain is the first presidential candidate I’ve ever felt strongly enough about to support with my money, and by putting a sticker on my car and a sign on my front lawn.
But I want to say a couple of things for the record.
I have to take exception to the second letter I received yesterday. It began with “Dear Friend and Fellow Republican,” and then went on to tell me, as if I cared, that Carly Fiorina has signed on as the party’s “Chair of Victory 2008.” Enclosed with that letter was a separate one from Ms. Fiorina asking me to donate to the Republican cause.
There is no really polite way to say this: I am not a Republican, and I don’t care who works for the party. I wouldn’t give money to the Republican Party any more than I would give it to the Democratic Party. When I voted in the Texas Republican primary, I was embarrassed to identify myself to the poll worker as a Republican. (Of course, I would have been more embarrassed to say I was a Democrat, especially in light of what it would have meant in that particular context.)
I gave you money, Sen. McCain, because I believe in you, and I did it despite, rather than because of, your party association. Due to the unusually low quality of this year’s two Democratic frontrunners, coupled with your own middle-of-the-road appeal, you’re probably going to have many independent supporters and not a few Democratic crossover supporters. It would be nice if we non-Republicans could feel that you understand who your base is, and calling us Republicans just because we gave you money is a poor start.
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