The Republican Governor Pawlenty is not willing to fund the Central Corridor project, when it would mean an extra $450 million dollars for Minnesota. Tonight, Republican Governor Pawlenty is planning to cut education so deeply, that some school districts will reduce to four days. However, one Republican is trying to funnel money into Minnesota - Senator John McCain. Senator John McCain will fund raise in Bellevue, Washington for a number of Republican committees, including the Republican Party of Minnesota, NOT including the local Republican Party of Washington, according to the invitation!

And how expensive is this dinner?

Photo Reception - $10,000 per person/Raise or Contribute
VIP Reception - $2,300 per person
General Reception - $1,000 per person
Victory Dinner - $33,100 per person
( John McCain 2008)

Specifically, the dollar amounts are broken down this way:

* For Individuals - The first $2,300 to JM 2008, the next $2,300 to the Compliance Fund, the next $28,500 to the RNC, and the balance of up to $37,000 will be divided evenly between the Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wisconsin state parties' federal accounts.

* For Federal Multicandidate PACs - The first $5,000 to JM 2008, the next $5,000 to the Compliance Fund, the next $15,000 to the RNC, and the balance of up to $20,000 will be divided evenly between the Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wisconsin state parties' federal accounts.
( John McCain 2008)

What could John McCain be offering that is worth this kind of money? None of this seems in the spirit of McCain/Feingold. It seems like favors for sale, a lobbyist's dream.

It is a bit far away to protest, however Democracy for America is on top of it:

Fuse Washington (www.fusewashington.org) is holding a rally/protest this coming Tuesday (May 13 at 5:00 pm) outside the Hyatt in Bellevue, to protest John McCain's fundraising appearance.

Senator John McCain will be in Bellevue next Tuesday, May 13th, at 5pm, to raise money for his Presidential campaign. He's holding a photo-op, 2 receptions and a Victory dinner at the Bellevue Regency Hyatt. (Dinner costs more that $33,000 per couple!) Together with partners, Fuse will be holding a rally and publicity stunt outside the Hyatt on Tuesday, to protest Senator McCain's relationship with big oil and to call media attention to this issue.

We're having t-shirts made now that say, "John McCain gave Big Oil $13 billion and all I got was this stupid t-shirt" and we'll have giant checks representing the money he has given to big oil in the form of tax subsidies and the campaign contributions he has received from big oil.
( DFA)

And all of you everyday ordinary Republicans are just going to line up for this $33,100 per person dinner, just to prove that the Republican party is not about snobbish elites with yacht club memberships! And even in the worse of times, John McCain just jaunts about on his rich wife's private jet.

Thanks to HA Seattle for the tip.