Bush is really in town to raise money for Republican candidates for Congress

[Kolesar]

Bush still draws big bucks

Posted by Mark Naymik July 25, 2008 16:54PM

Though President Bush is coming to Cleveland Tuesday to talk up energy and economic issues as he tours a welding company, he is really in town to raise money for Republican candidates for Congress.

He'll headline a Congressional Trust 2008 fund-raiser, which was arranged before his tour was set. The event is at the Gates Mills home of insurance executive Umberto Fedeli, which includes a trattoria that seats about 100 people and features a brick oven, professional stove and bar. House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio will join the president.

Tickets cost $10,000 for general schmoozing and $25,000 for up-close schmoozing. Fedeli, who's been a guest of the White House twice, said the event is sold out.

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/07/bush_still_draws_big_bucks.html#comments

[liberal N proud]

1. Traveling on our dime to raise money for the republicons

But who would want this failure to campaign for them?

[WCGreen]

2. Umburto is a big time donor for the GOP for state and federal office

and spreads the green around quite liberally when it comes to the local political scene.

He also had some shaddy connection to a turnpike scandal a while back when he was appointed to the commission by his good pal George Voinovich. Nothing came of it. Good thing Umberto got caught when the GOP controlled all the places at the power table down in Columbus.

[Kolesar]

4. Ohio Turnpike - Another campaign money laundering scheme?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=172x11456#11761

[WCGreen]

7. Mainly, if I remember correctly, diverting funds...

This happened way before Blackwell became a player. Back in the late 90's...

[geiger]

3. Fundraising totals

This map shows numbers as of May 31. Anyone have anything more recent?

Candidate Cuyahoga County State of Ohio
Obama $526,045 $1,793,067
McCain 328,204 1,500,665


http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/map/

[Kolesar]

5. “a fat, Italian, Catholic kid from Collinwood" - 820 Village Trail, Gates Mills, OH

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=820+Village+Trl+44040&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=image

820 Village Trail
Gates Mills, OH 44040



The incredible shrinking Umberto Fedeli

- Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff

Monday, June 23, 2008 Michael K. McIntyre Plain Dealer Columnist

Umberto Fedeli, the insurance man who is immersed in Republican causes and charitable fund-raisers, is known for the parties he hosts and the food he serves and for calling himself “a fat, Italian, Catholic kid from Collinwood who’s been blessed with more than I need and more than I deserve.”

Soon, he will need a new line. Fedeli had surgery to reduce the size of his stomach June 10 at the Cleveland Clinic, where he serves as a board member. Already, he has lost 25 pounds after the “gastric sleeve” procedure, which required the removal of most of his stomach.

“I never thought I would do it. I have no desire to be thin. I want to be the heaviest I can be and be healthy,” said Fedeli, who hosted a luncheon at his office with local businessmen to support GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain three days after the surgery.

The next day, he had a cornucopia of food — sausages, pizzas, hand-dipped chocolates — at his Gates Mills home for friends.

“I love food. Love to eat it, love to serve it, love to be around it. Just because I can’t eat a lot doesn’t mean I don’t get tremendous pleasure out of serving other people,” he said.

Former U.S. Sen. Mike De- Wine, a friend of Fedeli’s, said he’s glad to hear that.

“I hope his mom continues to cook lunch at the office,” said De- Wine.

Fedeli acknowledged, “You do subconsciously think, how is this going to change who you are? I’ll be the same, only a little less.”

A skinny, Italian, Catholic kid from Collinwood . .

http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1214209853130260.xml&coll=2

A vomitorium would be useful in that domicile--especially with today's company.

[OHDEM]

6. Anyone want to come protest with me?

I live in Gates Mills & know the Fedelis. (Yes, I've been in the house, but don't hold it against me. They are old friends of my husband.) I believe the prez will come off I271 & go by the intersection of 91 & Wilson Mills & we could protest there. Anyone interested can look for my red chrysler mini-van at the Yours Truly parking lot around 5PM today. They HAVE to go down Wilson Mills as the cul du sac where the home is located is off that street! Post here if you think you'll come! I'm disgusted by this vulgar display of greed during this economic crisis!

[geiger]

8. how did it go? i'm sorry there is no way i could have been there.

[OhioBlue]

9. Welcome to DU

:hi:

let us know how it went.