Storm cancels speeches, but parties continue

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Hurricane Gustav forced Republicans to restructure Monday’s convention schedule to avoid appearing insensitive, but the parties kept on going.
Across the Twin Cities, corporations — almost all that lobby Congress and state governments — and interest groups are going ahead with hundreds of parties to fete lawmakers — from country music concerts to exclusive dinners at posh restaurants.
For example, AT&T, the telecom giant that earlier this year persuaded Congress to grant it immunity from warrantless wiretapping lawsuits, hosted parties for delegations from South Carolina, Indiana and others.
Events hosted by railroads, pharmaceutical companies, realtors, beer companies and dozens of other industries that lobby Congress are planned through the week.
The events provide elected officials with free drinks and food. They provide lobbyists easy access to lawmakers to talk up favorable legislation.
Recent changes in federal ethics laws have made it harder for lobbyists to throw parties for senators and representatives than at past national political conventions. But the new rules still leave plenty of room for schmoozing, said Sheila Krumholz, director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group.
The permissible dollar value of goodie bags handed out to lawmakers at many parties has dropped from $50 to approximately $10.
“So, instead of getting a primo cigar in their [goodie] bags, you get a lesser cigar,” she said.
Corporations with interests in federal and state regulations sponsor receptions and other parties as part of an overall strategy to influence policy that includes targeted campaign contributions, industry political action committees and maintaining a lobbying presence on Capitol Hill.
“These parties aren’t charity. They are a vehicle that allow them to gain access to members of Congress,” and other elected officials, Krumholz said.
Because of Hurricane Gustav, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis asked corporate sponsors Sunday to make sure that the events were “respectful.” He also asked them to consider adding a fundraising element to the parties to collect money for storm victims.
Many did. At an AT&T event held at a British pub in Minneapolis Sunday night, attendees were handed a card with instructions on how to send money via text message to the Red Cross.
At the event - held for South Carolina delegates - state GOP chairman Katon Dawson also set out big red buckets to collect cash for the Salvation Army’s hurricane response activities.
South Carolina Republicans plan to continue raising money at all delegation parties this week, he said.
“Being from South Carolina, we understand the carnage a hurricane causes… Hurricane victims, it doesn’t matter if they’re Democrats or Republicans. They’re Americans,” Dawson said.
Sean Mussenden is a staff writer for Media General’s Washington Bureau.