I'll Raise You A Thousand!

A quick note on fundraising requests. In her most recent e-mail, Claire McCaskill asks supporters to donate in amounts of $1,000, $500 or $50.

In Senator Talent's most recent e-mail, he asks supporters to donate $25, $100 or $2,100. Back in January, the highest specific amount Talent asked for was $500. In six months, he has certainly upped the ante. Curious if there is a reasoning, rationale or if this is just a natural part of the fundraising cycle.

Of course, either will accept any donation "in between." But how do they choose which increments to request? Is this something a consultant does a poll on beforehand? Are people more likely to give $50 than $20? Maybe I'm reading too much into this.