Pres. Bush to headline Charlie Crist fundraiser (FL Gov race) [View All]

[seafan]

Pres. Bush to headline Crist fundraiser

By Jim Ash
September 14, 2006

TALLAHASSEE — President George W. Bush will headline a $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for the Florida Republican Party and Attorney General Charlie Crist next week, organizers confirmed this afternoon.

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"Presidents bring a lot of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm and they get people who might right checks to write bigger checks," said Tallahassee lobbyist David Rancourt, who is listed as a statewide chairman for the event. "As far as I'm concerned, I will wave signs, I will knock on doors, and I will do everything I can legally to get Charlie Crist elected governor of Florida."

With two ballrooms of the Ritz Carlton Orlando-Grande Lakes reserved for the Sept. 21 reception, organizers expect to raise $4 million, said John Morgan, a partner in the Orlando law firm Morgan & Morgan and a co-chairman of the event. Morgan is a long-time Crist supporter. Crist picked Morgan partner Rep. Jeff Kottkamp of Fort Myers as a running mate earlier this week.

"I think $4 million can be done," Morgan said.

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The president, Crist and the president's younger brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, are listed as "honored guests." Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell referred all calls to the White House and the Florida Republican Party.

Crist campaign spokeswoman Vivian Myrtetus said she could not confirm the fundraiser was taking place. White House spokesman Blair Jones also declined to confirm Bush's travel plans.

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