Remember the hoots and jeers of Republicans when President Obama was a guest at George Clooney’s $40,000-a-plate fundraiser back in May, or when Obama attended a similarly-priced event in Manhattan hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour in June? “President Obama is headed to Hollywood to hobnob with celebrities while the middle class continues to be squeezed”, chided RNC spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski. “Checks and the City!”, sneered a headline on Fox News’ website. Conservative L. A. Times columnist Steve Lopez sniped, “Isn’t money the root of all evil in politics, whether it’s from out-of-control ‘super PACs’ or wanna-be-seen moguls who might be expecting something in return for ponying up?”
Ah, but last weekend Mitt Romney was in Southampton, New York, for a $50,000-a-plate fundraiser thrown by oil billionaire David Koch, and nary a word from Republicans or their Greek chorus in the right-wing media.
So tell me, apart from the higher price tag and the less-interesting company, how were Romney’s dinner plans any different than Obama’s?