Pinot, Cape Cod, and Clapton…oh my!
Legislators are kicking off some fun weekend excursions starting today, and no doubt they’re hoping these festivities will have them rolling in cash by Monday. Whether you’re the sort of donor who enjoys a relaxing wine tasting in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or the type who is eager to see if Eric Clapton can top his best live solo to date, it’s a safe bet you will be able to find what you’re looking for.
Rep. Richard Neal (MA-2) is hosting a “Summer Weekend on Cape Cod” for his Madison PAC and asking for contributions of $5,000. The event is taking place at Chatham Bars Inn where guests can look forward to a weekend of golfing, tennis, fishing, and even antique car tours. Sounds like my ideal weekend, but I don’t think I could stretch my stipend that far even if I spent the rest of the summer eating Totino’s.
The wine tasting weekend “Pinot in Portland” is hosted by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) and his invitation asks for a contribution of $5,000. It isn’t clear from the invite, but if the plans were up to me, the weekend would start at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, which offers a Pinot in Portland package– just a short 20 minute drive north of “the heart of wine country.”
Reps. Mazie Hirono (HI-2) and Joe Crowley (NY-7) are also hosting fundraisers with home state themes. Hirono is hosting her Third Annual Taste of Hawaii Reception in DC on the 15th. The Congresswoman is asking $5,000 for PAC hosts, $2,500 for PAC sponsors, $1,000 for PAC guests, $2,400 for individual hosts, $1,000 for individual sponsors, and $500 for individual guests. Crowley’s “I Love NY” weekend starts tonight (June 12, 2009) at 5pm in New York City and he’s asking for contributions of $5,000 from PACs and $2,000 from individuals.
Arguably the highlight of the weekend, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-1) is hosting a fundraiser at Eric Clapton’s Verizon Center performance in Washington DC with Steve Winwood. The invitation requests contributions of $5,000 or $2,500 but it’s unclear as to what these contributions will net the donor. One thing is clear: any Clapton or Winwood fans that are willing to shell out the requested contributions will have one hell of a good time.
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