Donating $199.99

One of the suggestions for making the contribution process more interactive on donor web sites in The Political Consultants' Online Fundraising Primer, is to display the names of contributors and allow the list to “be searched by name, contribution amount and date.” President Bush used this technique during the 2004 election.

While I am sure there are many people who would get a kick out of seeing their name on the president’s home page, I can think of others who would be horrified if that information were public.

I think of my father, a man who refused to tell me or anyone who he voted for in any election ever. Though he’ll admit to leaning Republican, he believes a person’s vote is a private matter not meant for public consumption. If he were to donate to a candidate, I doubt he would appreciate that candidate publishing it on his web site.

Then there are others, who whether due to their jobs, the community they live in or some other factor, don’t want to go on record as endorsing a certain candidate.

FEC regulations require only the names of those who donate more than $200 be reported. I think web sites should follow suit with the same limitations.

There may be a very good reason why someone chooses to donate $199.99.