DEAR MISS MANNERS: A number of friends are hosting parties to raise funds to support a candidate for president.
I have already given what I can to this specific cause. May I use my prior donation as "credit" and still attend my friends' parties?
GENTLE READER: Your friends are not likely to think so. Unfortunately, donations to parties like these are often the price of admission -- and past donations are not likely to live on in the memory of campaigners who are trying to raise funds.
Miss Manners does not hold out strong hope that different parties will be held for past donors, but perhaps you can gently suggest that to the friends whose parties you will be declining. “I am afraid that we have met our budget for donating to this particular candidate, but here is hoping that when she wins, we will all be able to celebrate together.”