Watchdog groups, tea party activists and members of the public are expressing outrage over Tuesday night's lavish fundraiser for Republican congressional freshmen. At $2,500 a pop ($50,000 for a table), guests mingled at the swanky W Hotel one block from the White House and heard a private performance from country singer LeAnn Rimes
In interviews with Politico, Republican sources called the high-cost event a "nightmare" and said it "just doesn't send a good message." Watchdog groups and Democrats were quick to cast tea party participants -- who campaign against Washington "insiders" -- as hypocrites.
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"In the first four weeks after their election in November, newly-elected lawmakers were feted at 18 Washington fundraisers, where they collected cash to retire their 2010 campaign debts and began stockpiling money for 2012," (Bob) Edgar writes.
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Tuesday's fundraiser comes on the heels of reports that soon-to-be House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) hired a lobbyist to work on staff (which was met with criticism, though Boehner has for years been very close to the lobbying community) and that other tea party freshmen have cozied up to insiders.
link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/posh-gop-party-shouldnt-be-a-shock-some-observers-say