Private donors foot most of (GOP) convention bill

[UpInArms]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-08-23-donors-gop_x.htm

excerpt:

The host committee for the Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Republican National Convention in New York intends to spend $7.7 million just on four days of schmoozing and merrymaking, almost equal to the entire cost of producing the GOP's 1980 convention in Detroit.

Corporations and wealthy individuals will pick up a big chunk of the tab. Private donations account for $64 million, or 60%, of what the host committee expects to spend on the gathering at Madison Square Garden, according to the Campaign Finance Institute, a nonprofit research group.

The major New York-based donors include Altria Group Inc., the parent company of Philip Morris; American Express, Merrill Lynch and Time Warner. More than 20 companies, including AT&T and Microsoft, have supported both political conventions this year.

<snip>

Elliott noted that the cost of staging political conventions, which have become media events with little suspense, is enormous. He added that none of the host committee's expenses would be passed on to taxpayers.

"They're building a podium that costs two and a half million to build," said Weissman, suggesting that some of the costs are excessive.

...more...

I hope that they harp on the GOP as heavily as they did on the Dems.

[Champion Jack]

1. What a surprise

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[Democat]

2. I thought there were limits on how much you can donate?

Are you allowed to donate millions of dollars to a political party?

I thought that was the whole point of CFR?

[Dover]

3. Well it IS their Party afterall.....and they need to make up for the 40%

or less minority that actually makes up their constituency.

[realFedUp]

4. and I guess we'll hear the same outrage from Republicans...

about those corporate donors like they did
during the Dem convention.

yeah, right.

Of course New York is picking up the tab
for closing streets, police, security etc.

[krkaufman]

5. ABC World News Tonight on my watch list

After their coverage during the DNC, ABC World News Tonight better run some stories each night of the RNC detailing the funding of the campaign, and the access it gives the donors.

Brian Ross was the "journalist". I guess we'll see if he is fair and balanced -- or Fair and Balanced.