Back in the early '80s I talked to a Republican candidate at a Chamber of Commerce mixer. I told him I was a registered Republican but never voted for Republicans, because the Democrats were always inviting me to good parties and I'd never been invited to a Republican party.

He assured me I would be invited to a Republican party. He was as good as his word. Wthin a month or so I received an invitation to a Republican party - $150 at the door, a fair amount in those days.

The Democrats never asked for money until well into the party, and it was voluntary.