Today, Cheney's attending fundraisers for three Republican California lawmakers. Well, actually two: Richard Pombo (CA-11) and John Doolittle (CA-04). The thirds is a candidate, but not a lawmaker - Brian Bilbray, who's running against Francine Busby in CA-50 for the special election to replaced Rep. Duke Cunningham, who now spends his days in prison.
Before he hops on Air Force 2 for his return flight to an undisclosed location, he will have raised the better part of a million dollars for the 3 GOP candidates. Your tax dollars at work!
San Jose Mercury News reports this evening:
The guests paid from $500 per person up to $2,100 for a couple to have a picture taken with Cheney, said Carl Fogliani, Pombo's campaign manager. He said Monday's event raised more than $200,000 for Pombo's campaign.
...
"To bring out the big guns, he must feel McCloskey is getting close," Robert Caughlan, McCloskey's campaign spokesman, said before the Pombo fundraiser began.
...
"I'm not a fan of Mr. Pombo's for a lot of reasons," said Pat Rieta-Garcia, a Democrat and resident of nearby Lodi, who was drinking coffee near where police had cordoned off an area for protesters. "For me, though, bringing Cheney here just sways me further in the other direction."
Sounds like lively, if modest fun at the Doolittle fundraiser in Sacramento, too.
Doolittle, who represents a suburban Sacramento district, has denied any wrongdoing.
Across the street from the downtown hotel where the Doolittle event was held, about 100 protesters marched with signs, tambourines and drums to criticize the Bush administration. The group was led by the California Nurses Association, which was promoting its initiative for the November ballot that would create a voluntary system of public campaign financing.
"I am a grandmother for peace and anything else," said Sue Erlich, 67. "I just had to come down. I'm just disgusted with the administration."
One woman carried a sign that stated, "Doo Doo Do-Little. Your dirty money stinks," alluding to the private luncheon that was organized by the Doolittle campaign to raise money.
This from the TV reporters on the tarmac earlier in the day:
"I'm honored he's coming," Doolittle said. "This will be the second time he's come here for me."
The event at the Hyatt was expected to raise about $350,000 for Doolittle's campaign.
"It's been a great catalyst for fund-raising," Doolittle said. "So, it's very important."
Democrats said Cheney's appearance is an indication that Doolittle needs help to win a ninth term. Doolittle, however, dismissed that claim.
"What else can they say?," Doolittle added. "When you have a tremendous success like this event, they're going to have to come up with some explanation, however pathetic it may be."
The hometown papers in CA-11 have been willing to report less than flattering stories about Pombo. Consider this from today's Stockton Record:
Energy Surge Kicks up Pombo's Campaign Cash
In the 31/2 years since Rep. Richard Pombo became chairman of the House Resources Committee, he has emerged as one of the Congress' loudest cheerleaders for expanding domestic energy supplies.
Pombo's efforts have been rewarded.
Eleven cents of every dollar Pombo, R-Tracy, has collected for his re-election campaign has come from the oil and energy industry, a Record analysis has found.
That's more than $212,000, and more is expected when a new set of federal campaign-finance reports becomes public this week.
Pombo's campaign featured his efforts to increase oil shale production on the invitation to a fund-raiser headlined by Vice President Dick Cheney scheduled for today; Cheney's former employer, Halliburton Co., is one of the world's leading energy-services corporations.
San Jose Mercury News this morning:
"If these districts were guaranteed to re-elect Doolittle and Pombo, we wouldn't see Cheney or Bush in California," said state Democratic Party Chair Art Torres. "They know these guys are vulnerable."
Cheney spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said the vice president has made more than 60 stops for House contenders around the country so far this election.
"The midterm elections are critical," McBride said. "Any place the vice president can lend a hand, he's happy to help."
And this evening:
Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday campaigned for two veteran California GOP congressman who find themselves facing unexpected primary challenges as Republicans are seeking to hold onto their majorities in Congress.
...
Cheney defended Pombo before about 200 guests at Stockton's Bob Hope Theatre.
"Your congressman is part of a team that has gotten the economy rolling again and has protected the nation in a time of danger. ... He has earned another term in the House of Representatives," the vice president said.
These were all three very safe Republican seats just a year ago. It's good to see them worried about it. And it's worrying to see all the money they're scaring up, too. Money isn't everything - better be true!
