"Democrats Offer Up Chairmen For Donors"-Cspan now talking of this on

[rodeodance]

WJ

[rodeodance]

1. 2 men callers saying how 'good looking' the new Ancher is.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Not that it's at all relevant. But those two men are right.

:hide:

[rodeodance]

3. "And the GOP is hardly sitting on the sidelines this year. Republicans are

And the GOP is hardly sitting on the sidelines this year. Republicans are also using their top lawmakers on committees to haul in donations. Rep. John L. Mica (Fla.), the ranking Republican on Transportation and Infrastructure, is scheduled to headline a "transportation luncheon" fundraiser in coming days for fellow House Republican Jerry Moran (Kan.).

The event was originally scheduled to be held at a Capitol Hill townhouse owned by the American Trucking Association but has since been moved to a restaurant. Donors are being asked to contribute between $1,000 and $2,500.

Likewise, Rep. Peter T. King (N.Y.), the senior Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, is advertised as the featured guest at a "homeland security dinner" at the French-style Les Halles restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue NW to help raise money for sophomore Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.).

But it was in part a Republican lobbying scandal -- GOP lobbyist Abramoff's defrauding of Indian tribal clients and the subsequent investigation into his efforts to influence lawmakers with lavish gifts -- that gave Democrats their opening to regain control of Congress. Democrats took over in January after a campaign that accused Republicans of fostering a "culture of corruption" in Washington and "selling access" to lawmakers. Abramoff has been convicted of fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy and is in federal prison.