It's a wine tasting fundraiser for Texas District 11 Congressman Mike Conway on September 23, 2010, in Washington, D.C.
My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. Yours too? You won't find it at Conaway For Congress either. No problem, here it is at PoliticalPartyTime.org. Expected contribution levels: $2,500 Cabernet Level; $1,000 Merlot Level; $500 Chardonnay Level. RSVP to Amber. Wine glass provided, but bring your checkbook.
OpenSecrets.org says he raised $1,137,066 for the 2008 election to run against Libertarian candidate John R. Strohm. And it says he has raised $846,574 for the 2010 election. That may seem like plenty considering that Democrat challenger James Quillian has only raised $5,560.
Actually these D.C. fundraisers aren't aimed at those of us out here in Texas District 11. And the money isn't being contributed to help battle the challenger. But just what the donors expect isn't easily determined from the information made public. All we can do is speculate that someone wants a favor that only a Congressman can provide. Notice that the invitation helpfully alerts invitees that he's on the Ag, Armed Services, and Select Intell committees.
The way Jack Abramoff did it was too blatant for his own good. He was accused of a lot of things but ended up pleading guilty to a charge of bribery for giving a Congressman gifts and trips in exchange for pushing certain legislation and other official business.
Those in the know do it much less blatantly according to Alex Gibney, producer of Casino Jack and the United States of Money. In a podcast interview Mr. Gibney explains that there's a much smoother, legal way to do it. The lobbyist or someone wanting a law about something pays a visit to the Congressman explaining what he wants. They say goodbye and part company. Then a week or so later the Congressman's office gets a phone call saying that person, company or lobbyist wants to put on a fundraiser for the Congressman. So the money comes in as clean as if it had just completed the rinse cycle.
But this is pure speculation. For all we know Mr. Conaway is expecting that powerful wind of the Democratic Party brand to blow at Mr. Quillian's back and the long coat tails of Barack Obama to sweep Mr. Quillian into office but for that last $2,500 Cabernet Level contribution collected on September 23.
Post Script: If you didn't get invitations to Mr. Conaway's previous D.C. fundraisers, see them at PoliticalPartyTime.Org.
George, I'll take a wine mixer over a tea party anytime ... but I'm afraid I might not be able to afford the vintage served at this particular mixer.
Posted by: Jeff | September 09, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Live large, Jeff.
Posted by: Geo | September 09, 2010 at 05:19 PM