I'm a sponsor for a Dem fund-raiser next week .. need advice from DU. [View All]

I am one of 34 sponsors (some of the other sponsors are couples, some are well-known local Democrats, and one is a former cabinet member of Bill Clinton's). The event is for a Democratic challenger to a one-term GOP do-nothing member of Congress. Still, in the upstate of SC, GOP rules.

The fundraiser is a cocktail deal at a downtown restaurant. We (the local Democratic organization) have had very successful (and very informal) fund-raisers there in the past. I do like this Democratic candidate (good thing our phone calls are local, and I have met him face-to-face, one-on-one at breakfast at Tommy's Ham House), but I am telling him he is way over-cautious (he is afraid to discuss those issues we, and he, love, for fear of losing votes). But there is a more acute problem. The fund raising party. It has been made exclusive, and I have big problems with that.

The "invitation" says .. wait. Invitation to a fund-raiser? What about the donor with $500 to burn who hears about the party that afternoon? Want to keep him out? But I still haven't gotten to the part of the "invitation" that gives me severe heartburn. To wit:

Monday, June 19, 2006
Five-thirty until Seven o'clock in the evening
Restaurant X, upstairs lounge
1234 S. Main St, Anywhere, South Carolina
$50 donation per person
hors d'oeuvre and cash bar
Business Attire

I have already, as a sponsor (I've contributed nearly a half-grand so far), invited some students, some minorities, and some blue-collar workers to the party. I told those I invited that a donation was expected, the bar is cash and high price, and the restaurant's liberal dress code applied (my Democratic friends take small hints well). Clean jeans, shoes, and a nice shirt works well at restaurant "X".

Dr. D want's me to wear farmer's overalls. "That's your business," sez she, extrapolating (or exaggerating) a bit. I'll wear my usual summer attire to restaurant "X". Shorts (not Reno-911 Dangle shorts), collared long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves turned up five rolls (anal-retentive? Moi?), and sandals.

But what say the DUers? I am most concerned about the $50 minimum contribution and the dress code (business attire). I'll see the candidate on Thursday (at a fish-fry). What would you say to a candidate you support, in a reddest of red states, who has a poor chance, into whose campaign you are pouring your last dollars, who (the candidate) wants to position himself away from his own core beliefs to keep from losing (WIN is not an operative word either, in this campaign)?

I think I know what DU'ers will say. I just need some choice tidbits to take to our candidate tomorrow.

Mac