Cheney visit raises money, nothing else
Vice President Dick "Deadeye" Cheney was in Washington State yesterday to help GOP fundraising efforts for Doug Roulstone, (whose challenge to Rep. Rick Larsen in the 2nd District will likely fall flat) and Lobbyist! Mike! McGavick!, who is vying to unseat Maria Cantwell.
At yesterday's fundraiser in Everett were Cheney, McGavick, Reichert, Roulstone, and other big names (like Rob McKenna). While there don't seem to be any photographs of Reichert or McGavick with Cheney, Roulstone was apparently not afraid to have himself pictured along the very unpopular veep.
Speaking of Cheney's trip, Representative Waxman recently released a new minority staff report that shows that taxpayers pay over 95% of the cost of flights by the President and Vice President for campaign-related events:
Cheney's visit here may have raised money for the Roulstone and McGavick campaigns, but unfortunately for Diane Tebelius, it didn't succeed in raising anything else.
At yesterday's fundraiser in Everett were Cheney, McGavick, Reichert, Roulstone, and other big names (like Rob McKenna). While there don't seem to be any photographs of Reichert or McGavick with Cheney, Roulstone was apparently not afraid to have himself pictured along the very unpopular veep.
Speaking of Cheney's trip, Representative Waxman recently released a new minority staff report that shows that taxpayers pay over 95% of the cost of flights by the President and Vice President for campaign-related events:
Using figures from 2002, the last time the President and Vice President traveled on behalf of others in a nonpresidential election cycle, the report projects that taxpayers will spend over $7 million in 2006 on presidential and vice presidential political travel.Once again, we have to ask: Isn't this an example of government waste? Shouldn't the McGavick and Roulstone campaigns be reimbursing taxpayers for the cost of the trip? Wouldn't that be the right thing for responsible Republican candidates who are against waste to do?
As political campaigns are gearing up around the country, the President and Vice President will be heavily involved in making campaign appearances and participating in fundraisers for candidates. In just the first few months of this year, they have already traveled to numerous campaign-related events.
The President and Vice President can legally participate in campaign and fundraising events for candidates. But when they do so, the taxpayer bears most of the cost. The President and Vice President travel across the country for political rallies and fundraisers in expensive military aircraft that cost tens of thousands of dollars per hour. The trips also involve costs associated with the use of Secret Service and transportation, food, and lodging for staff.
Cheney's visit here may have raised money for the Roulstone and McGavick campaigns, but unfortunately for Diane Tebelius, it didn't succeed in raising anything else.
