RNC parties

Lost in the hubbub over Hurricane Gustaf, party leaders’ phone-ins and Republican preganancy rates is what should have been a triumphal return by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzegger to the Nicollet Island Park Pavilion in Minneapolis, where last night his state’s delegation held a late-night party under twinkling red, white and blue lights.
The pavilion — a [...]

Louisiana guitarist Tab Benoit had a reason for a heightened sense of urgency in his plea to save his state’s coastal wetlands Monday night at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Earlier that day, Hurricane Gustav made landfall less than 20 miles from Benoit’s hometown of Houma.
“It’s hard for me [...]

The Xcel Energy Center might be the home of the Republican Nation Convention next week. But the RNC should have the its own sign plastered over the Xcel that says “brought to you by AT&T.” The Texas-based company’s PAC is the Republican party’s biggest donor, shelling out more than $1.3 million for Republican campaigns this year alone, according to campaign finance reports. And more than $168,000 of that has gone directly to the campaign for John McCain, whom AT&T has strongly supported and vice versa.

What can $50,000 get you these days? If you’re wanting to get access to lawmakers at the Republican National Convention, not much. That amount of dough is worth only a Viking Sponsorship, which gives a wealthy corporate donor limited access to the major goings-on with credentialed tickets to convention sessions, invitations to all 2008 host committee leadership events, and a sponsorship listing in official guide books.