A woman who contributes a large sum of money to the DNC five days before the Dukakis/Bush election is not "mediocrity".
Did she donate herself or the law firm she worked for. Outfits like that usually donate to both parties.
Given that Gore lost his home state, it is pretty obvious that a sizable number of people changed their opinion of him between his Senate days and 2000. Why make a big deal out of it?
For one thing, she was the top dog at that law firm and they didn't contribute to any Republicans during this "Reagan legacy" time. At least none that is apparent at this time and if it turns out later that they did I'd be suspicious that it isn't apparent at this time.
I'd like to know more about her political activities that occurred before the time where she could have seen an opportunity to kiss up to elements that she had previously militantly fought against. Will some Republican President 16 years from now give Americans a SCOTUS nominee who gave money to John Kerry five days before election day 2004? What should Republicans think about that in 2020?