Dems' Picnic Mocks McCain Fundraiser in Ne. (+ video)

[Omaha Steve]

I was there. I'll have photos online this weekend in a new post with the updated video etc...

OS


http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/16899883/detail.html\

Neb. Republicans Paying Big Bucks To See McCain

POSTED: 11:26 am CDT July 16, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. -- At a picnic for party faithful, Democrats criticized Republican Sen. John McCain's plans for a big-ticket fundraising dinner at Ashland's Strategic Air and Space Museum.

About 70 people enjoyed hot dogs at the picnic for just $5 a plate. The event was designed to mock the $1000 minimum price tag for dinner at the McCain event. Democrats also said their event demonstrated the difference between their party and the Republicans.

Pinic at last 1/3 of video: http://www.ketv.com/video/16903870/index.html


http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/25514324.html

John McCain made his first campaign stop in Nebraska for a private GOP fundraising event on Wednesday.

McCain arrived in Omaha around 2 p.m. for the fundraiser at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland. Organizers say at least 250 people are slated to attend.

Some couples paid $50,000 to visit with the Republican presidential contender. Others could opt to pay $1,000 each to attend the reception.

For donating or raising $50,000, a couple can attend a more intimate reception and get a picture with the Arizona senator.

McCain's campaign hasn't said how much they hope to bring in. Former Nebraska Congressman Hal Daub, who's chairman of McCain Victory 2008 in Nebraska, said he expected the event to be one of the largest event fund raisers in Nebraska political history.

One of the most recent high-dollar events in the state was a December visit by President Bush, which brought in nearly $600,000 for Republican Mike Johanns' Senate campaign, as well as $90,000 for the state Republican Party.

Nebraska Democrats criticized the McCain stop. Eric Van Horn, spokesman for the state Democrats, said there's a huge difference between Democrat Barack Obama's free event that drew thousands to Omaha in February and McCain's fundraiser.

To make their point, state Democrats orchestrated a $5-per-person hot dog cookout about a mile from the McCain event.

Mark Quandahl, chairman of the state Republican Party, called the criticism "silly," pointing out that Obama was also here last August for a fundraiser with billionaire Warren Buffett, chairman of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway.


Picnic mentioned last third of clip: http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=8686880

OMAHA (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain has arrived in Nebraska, where he will be the focus of a high-dollar fundraiser to fuel the Arizona senator's campaign.

The fundraiser is being held Wednesday night in Ashland, home of the U.S. Strategic Air and Space Museum.

It costs $1,000 per person to attend the event, but some Nebraska couples are paying $50,000 to attend a more intimate reception and get a picture with McCain.

McCain's campaign hasn't said how much it hopes to raise.

Former Nebraska Congressman Hal Daub, who's chairman of McCain Victory 2008 in Nebraska, has said at least 250 people have signed up.

[Muttocracy]

1. :-D nt