McGovern by Installments

Lonesome George McGovern may have his political problems, but money, the traditional bane of most presidential aspirants, is apparently not one of them. His campaign, which staffers boast is the "best financed" of any Democratic contender, is running $200,000 in the black, and should become $300,000 blacker by the end of the year. The reason: a variety of fund-raising gimmicks. McGovern has used direct-mail solicitations overseen by Morris Dees (a Montgomery-based wizard who made his millions in the mail-order business). There have been conventional fund-raising luncheons like one in New York City last week, where 1,350 "Business and Professional Men and Women for McGovern" laid down $25 apiece to dine on chicken and mushrooms. By far the most novel item in the McGovern moneymen's assorted bag of tricks, though, is the Presidential Club. Its members--some 3,000 thus far--sign up to make monthly contributions of as little as $10 through July 1972, when the Democrats will convene in Miami Beach. To aid the prospective giver, McGovern's managers thoughtfully offer a time-payment booklet, similar to those issued by friendly finance companies. "For a better America," a note on the booklet's cover advises, "detach another coupon from this booklet and mail it with your monthly contribution." Since April, when the installment plan started, only 7% of the contributors have fallen behind on their payments. The candidate has not yet been repossessed.

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