Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Capital Eye Opener, September 5: Party Time in Charlotte, With Corporate Cash Present

After a week of political pageantry and Republican politics in Tampa Bay, the spotlight turns to Democrats this week, as they kick off their own party convention in the battleground state of North Carolina. Readers of this blog know all too well what that means: It's party time.

Sunlight Foundation's Political Party Time Blog estimated that Republicans held upwards of 200 fundraisers during their stint in Tampa Bay. But that doesn't hold a candle to the Democrats' itinerary: politicians, lobbyists and other interest groups have 400 such events planned this week in Charlotte, according to Party Time. Themes range from a how-to on formal dining etiquette to one event called Nuns on the Bus.

That's right: nuns. On the Bus.

That event is sponsored by a Catholic social justice group called Network, which just finished promoting a nine state bus tour to "highlight the work of Catholic Sisters, meet the people they serve and learn about the harm that would be caused by the Ryan/House federal budget cuts."

Planned Parenthood Action Fund, a pro-abortion rights group that does not reveal its donors, hosted a Sex, Politics and Cocktails event for lawmakers and Democratic politicos.

Lobbyists of course will also be in on the action in Charlotte. John Buscher, a registered lobbyist working for Holland & Knight is hosting a skybox event for tonight's convention proceedings. Given his history donating to Democrats, you can bet that more than a few blue congressional representatives will stop by.

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