Why Fundraising Letters are Dramatic ...

Sometimes reporters get a hold of a political fundraising letter, and take it literally. The problem is that fundraising letters have to be a bit dramatic. After all, the average direct mail donor is not a lobbyist or a big shot -- it's a concerned citizen who gets to be an activist by writing a check. And why would a concerned citizen give you money if they thought you didn't need it?

That's why fundraisign letters always say, "this is the closest election in history," yada, yada, yada.

The problem arises when reporters read these letters, but don't get the joke ...

Here's a recent example from The Hill ...

(First sentence) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is "facing the most difficult reelection campaign" of his career, or at least that's what he's telling his political supporters.

(Last sentence) - Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said, "This is very common language typically used in fundraising letters."

Keep in mind that anything you write -- even if it is targeted toward political donors -- could end up in the hands of a reporter!

In short, this is a non-story ...