The Democrats' dash for dollars

AMERICAN humorist Will Rogers once said, "Politics has got so expensive that it takes a lot of money even to get beat."

That was in the 1930s.

But it's true today in Pennsylvania. It presents problems for Democrats. And it might mean salvation for Tom "I-keep-finding-ways-to-lose" Corbett.

Think about it.

So far eight Democrats are vying for the right to oppose Gov. Corbett next year.

All except self-funding, multimillionaire York County biz-guy Tom Wolf are trying to raise a lot of money, mostly to get beat.

An effective, competitive statewide primary can cost $5 million to $10 million.

And the problem is everybody but Wolf needs to find funds from the same traditional Democratic donors and special interests.

We won't know who's best at this until the filing deadline for funds raised this year: Jan. 31.

But we do know it's rough going.

Those involved say givers are (a) giving less, (b) giving to a few candidates rather than one, (c) holding off for a clear front-runner or (d) staying away from the primary election, period.

The primary is next May 20.

Another factor? Many big givers commonly give to both parties (and, yes, even to apparently doomed incumbents), which further drains available dollars.

Also, Democratic candidates Allyson Schwartz, Rob McCord and Katie McGinty share the same donor-rich southeast base.

They're known to usual givers in the region. They therefore need to fundraise harder and wider than they would in a smaller field.

Schwartz has raised money the longest, winning four state Senate terms and five terms in Congress. McCord raised a lot for two successful statewide races for state treasurer. So, of the three, McGinty's task is toughest.

As for lesser-known candidates John Hanger, Ed Pawlowski, Max Myers and Jo Ellen Litz, well, you can imagine.

Meanwhile, Wolf (his family business is the largest supplier of cabinetry in the U.S.) says he'll spend $10 million of his own dough.

The upshot?

Democrats scramble for funds from folks who like winners, and do so amid complete uncertainty about who the winner will be.

Wolf must love it: smaller pots for his opponents; larger TV presence for him. Corbett must love it: several D's raise tons of money; fund a circular firing squad; produce a primary winner financially drained, politically weakened.

"If ever there was a case for a smoke-filled room, this is it," says mega-fundraiser Ballard Spahr lawyer Ken Jarin, who's raising money for McGinty. He's hosting a $500-to-$5,000-a-ticket reception for her in Philly next week.

"I have a friendship with at least five of the candidates," Jarin says. "I think some people are holding back. Others are supporting two candidates."

Another longtime fundraiser, Alan Kessler of Duane Morris, is raising money for McCord.

He says that tapping donors got tougher during economic woes in 2008-09 and that since then regulars have "given less and given more selectively."

Kessler confirms the same-pool problem. He encounters donors who've backed McCord and Schwartz in the past but who also like McGinty. He says they're torn, either giving less or waiting.

"Maybe nobody raises $10 million," says Kessler, "but maybe a few raise $5 million or $6 million."

Which, as mentioned, is Corbett's fervent hope - and Wolf's.

Other regular fundraisers asking not to be named say that since the size of the field to oppose an incumbent is unprecedented in Pennsylvania politics, donors, fundraisers and campaigns are in unchartered waters. Nobody can predict the outcome.

The irony? The very thing that expanded the field, namely Corbett's vulnerability, might be the very thing that saves him.

Although geography is often a determinant in state primaries, all current candidates come from central or eastern counties. So geography is muddled.

That leaves the other large determinant: money. And right now the heir apparent to that outcome-decider just cannot be determined.