Any time I notice something really good in the listings for PBS, it turns out to be part of a fundraising drive. You know, they show you ten minutes of one of their best programs, then badger you for ten minutes to contribute "to make programs like this possible." Why do I want to do THAT? Heck, regular television only makes me sit through about 6 minutes of commercials every half hour (not that I do it, hahaha). That's about 20% of the time of the show, while PBS hits close to 50% for their "commercial-free" programming during their fundraising periods (which occur roughly once a month and last three weeks or so).

Ah, but PBS has the marketing down. First of all, they try to "guilt" the money out of you by implying you OWE it because, well, you watched, didn't you? So, what are you trying to do, STEAL the programming? But then, after the slap comes the tickle: they offer you a "premium" or "gift" for your contribution. It's not usually much; if you want a prize worth $10 you have to give them $100 or so. Funny, those Tote Bags with "PBS" emblazoned across them sound so positively useful when the personable host describes them . . .

Now the politicians are getting into the act. Barack Obama just sells the merchandise directly, and does so well that nearly everything for sale on his website is back-ordered for weeks. But he and John McCain must have watched a PBS Telethon recently, because both candidates are now offering "premiums" to those who donate this month.

Obama is offering three lucky donors the chance to sit down for a "Dinner with Barack" to discuss whatever issues are near and dear to your heart. Any size donation qualifies, but it must be received by midnight on March 31st.

McCain will take one lucky donor on his "Straight Talk Express" bus tour, which he emails will take him through "Mississippi, Virginia, Florida and my home state of Arizona." The Senator obviously knows some shortcuts . . . again, any donation received by March 31st qualifies, and if you give at least $50, you also get a commemorative Straight Talk Express ticket.

Obama doesn't say when his dinner will take place (he's already had at least one of these), but McCain's bus tour begins next week, so it is at least theoretically possible to win both!