Exclusive: Secret Menu Details Perks, Access for Elite Romney Donors

[trailmonkee]

Source: ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- Hours before Gov. Mitt Romney accepts the Republican nomination for President in Tampa, he will have a two-hour lunch with some of his most elite donors -- the group known as the Romney Victory Council. The lunch is part of a whirlwind schedule laid out for Romney's most elite fundraisers, a copy of which was obtained by ABC News.

Marked "Confidential," the schedule offers a rare inside look at how the Republican National Convention is playing out for those who have raised and donated the most to see Romney elected.

Council members will have breakfast with Condoleezza Rice this morning and cocktails with the Republican leaders of the Congress this evening. They will be toasted at an "appreciation reception" with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell aboard the Cracker Bay Yacht. They will enjoy a special audience with Ann Romney on Thursday, and a political briefing from the candidate's senior political staff.

Much is made of the convention spending by lobbyists and special interests looking to use golf outings and concerts to lubricate their relationships with high-ranking politicians. But the nurturing of major donors has become an equally important staple of the political conventions -- though on a scale that appears to grow with each campaign cycle, according to Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig.

"It is part of a system, an economy of influence," Lessig told ABC News. "And if you don't play in that economy, you don't have the access and influence you need."


Read more: http://www.karnnewsradio.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=112&itemid=29899418

[snappyturtle]

1. More evidence of class war nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. The US really has turned into an oligarchy.

If you have enough money you can purchase and run the government. And the GOP likes it that way.

Come to think of it, maybe the better word is plutocracy. Or even kleptocracy.

[AzDar]

3. K & R & ...

[hootinholler]

4. Cracker Bay??? Really?

Can't make this up.

[NCcoast]

11. No kidding

Who's writing this stuff, Seth MacFarlane?

[bullwinkle428]

17. LMAO at "Cracker Bay"!!!

[Berlum]

5. "You smelly ordinary RepubliProle Sheeple can just bite it." - Romney-Ryan (R-1%)

"You gawdawful smelly RepubliProle Sheeple who are not among the 1% elite can just sit down, shut up, and consume the Fox propaganda bullshit we shove down your gullet. We elites need some occult Republican privacy to decide HOW TO USE YOU TO OUR ADVANTAGE AGAIN."

- Romney-Ryan (R-1%)

[grilled onions]

6. A Special Audience With Anne?

Is this common practice for one who is only married to the one running? Where is Ryan at in all of this??? Aren't they supposed to be working together?

[mojo2012]

7. Sounds rather boring

It seems with the alcohol freely flowing, it should be rather boring since the Romney's don't drink alcohol (at least they're not supposed to).

It is interesting that Paul Ryan wasn't mentioned (over Ann Romney). Maybe with Ann there, there won't be any skinny dipping episodes while aboard the Cracker Bay Yacht.

[heaven05]

8. special audience

with Ann robme, who is she, royalty or the Pope of the mormon church. what is this bs? Well americans love their royalty.

[Macoy51]

10. One person, one vote is meaningless

Our republic is doomed unless we, somehow, remove money from politics. Ending corporate personhood and limiting donations to $100 per voter would be a great start. Who do you think the politicians listen to, a concerned constituent or the guy who just made a million dollar donation?

One person, one vote is meaningless if money controls all.


Macoy

[They_Live]

16. This is the answer.

I agree with you 100%. Remove money from politics and "people" will be represented.

[KamaAina]

18. She's the power behind the throne

Case in point: When Willard Bigfooted Jane "None Too" Swift out of the Mass. governor's race, he was left with her running mate, Patrick Guerriero, who happens to be openly gay.

I am told that Willard himself had no problem with this. It was Ann who decided, unilaterally, that associating with Guerriero would be damaging to Willard's future hopes for the repuke nomination, and had him unceremoniously dumped from the ticket. (Guerriero is now head of the Log Cabin Republicans.)

[brooklynite]

9. In all fairness, the Democrats will do the same thing...

...my Dance Card for Charlotte is almost completely full, with briefing breakfasts, "policy" lunches, afternoon receptions, and after-parties. In the fundraising biz, it is known as "donor maintenance". The events don't really provide "special access", since 1) they're generally crowded (even the "intimate" sessions) and 2) most of these people can pick up the phone at a more convenient time and have a trully private conversation about their issue of choice. Its more a matter of ego-stroking by the campaigns.

I don't say this in defense of the policy, but until we change the way our campaigns are funded, expect to read the same stories about both campaigns, this year and in 2016.

[ronnie624]

12. "It is part of a system, an economy of influence,"

"It is part of a system, an economy of influence," Lessig told ABC News. "And if you don't play in that economy, you don't have the access and influence you need."

Blatant, in-your-face corruption of OUR government.

[Javaman]

13. A condor egg breakfast and a baby seal skin coat? nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. With all due respect,

I wouldn't expect things to be any different at the Dem convention. ABC's Brian Ross has been "asked" to leave private meetings at those conventions as much as at Repub conventions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Bless_the_Child_(Billie_Holiday_song)
(highlight the entire line; it doesn't want to format correctly)

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/billie+holiday/god+bless+the+child_20018000.html

Songwriters: KAKON, DAVID EMANUELBillie Holiday / Arthur Herzog Jr.

Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own

Was it ever any different?

[wordpix]

15. better check how Gov. McDonnell is paying for the reception on the yacht

He's just so generous to hold this event Is he funding it with VA's money? Just wondering...

[SoapBox]

19. The "Cracker" Bay yacht?

It's got to be a joke.

And if not...I'm gonna lose MY lunch.