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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > August > 25 > Entry
Somebody’s got to pick up the tab
DENVER — And now a brief word from our sponsors…
The Ohio delegation to the Democratic National Convention began its first morning breakfast with words of thanks to the generous folks from Dominion, the Virginia-based energy company, which picked up the tab for a Sunday afternoon outing at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
There, conventioneers were treated to the musical delights of Sheryl Crow, the Dave Matthews Band and Sugarland.
And a tip of the hat was also offered to Swedish Match, an international corporation specializing in snuff, cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco and lighters. They’re sponsoring the nightly scotch and cigar reception that begins at midnight.
Other events being hosted for delegates include a welcome party at the posh Curtis Hotel’s Corner Bar, morning bloody Mary receptions, post-gavel parties at the ESPN Zone, LoDo’s Bar & Grill, and other nightspots, and various trinkets. And that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the invitation-only parties held nightly all over town.
As party Chairman Chris Redfern introduced a series of speakers, including U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and state Treasurer Richard Cordray, a slideshow backlit the lectern with a revolving series of acknowledgements for the sugar daddies. They included the likes of Verizon Wireless, Norfolk Southern, Hewlett Packard, Nationwide, Microsoft, American Electric Power, Duke Energy, First Energy, State Street Consultants, Citizens Bank, Johnson & Johnson, the Ohio Association of Realtors, various law firms and others.
Thomas F. Farrell, chairman, president and CEO of Dominion, told delegates that by sponsoring their entertainment it “gives us opportunities to share our thoughts with you.”
In other words, lobby.
Wait, you say, aren’t there rules against lobbyists showering our elected officials with such largesse? Yes, but there are loopholes you could drive a beer truck through.
So, when Ashley Judd mingles with delegates at Planned Parenthood’s “Sex, Politics and Cocktail” party this week, it’s perfectly legal. A Willie Nelson concert? No problem.
And entertaining the delegates is hardly the biggest tab being picked up here, and, for that matter, in St. Paul when the Republicans gather there next week. While, loophole-riddled, there are limits on direct contributions to candidates. No such limits are imposed on contributions to political conventions, which cost tens of millions to put on.
So, while Barak Obama refuses to take money from political action committees or lobbyists and John McCain wrote the law that places limits on donations to political parties, both men, through their parties, are clearly in hock to a host of business interests, labor unions and other special interests.
And now, back to our regular programming…
Jeff Bruce is the journalist in residence at Wright State University. You can email him at jeff@jeffbruce.net. For more politics, point your browser to daytondailynews.com/politics.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Democratic Convention
Comments
By Melissa Spirek
August 26, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
A fascinating backstage story we would not have the details otherwise. Thanks for the insightful and meaningful reporting.