RNC Gala Disappoints as Only Two '08 Candidates Show
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
WASHINGTON — Several prominent Republican donors and a handful of Republican National Committee staffers are complaining about the presidential field after only two 2008 candidates — Mitt Romney and Ron Paul — showed up for a big fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night.
Donors from Ohio and Pennsylvania who asked not to be named told FOX News they understood their $1,000 donation and commute to the capital would be rewarded with face time with all the major candidates and President Bush.
At least five Republican candidates originally had been scheduled to show at the event, billed as a "presidential dinner." Republican officials said they sent out an advisory on Monday that included Romney, Paul, John McCain and Fred Thompson. The president and Rudy Giuliani were not listed in the advisory as expected attendees.
After Romney and Paul spoke at the extravagant event held in the National Building Museum, RNC chairman Sen. Mel Martinez announced from the stage that McCain, Giuliani and Thompson would not be appearing. Martinez told the surprised audience that the three had canceled due to scheduling conflicts and late Senate votes.
High-money rollers who spent at least $15,000 to attend the dinner were schmoozed a bit by Thompson, Giuliani and McCain's wife, Cindy, at a private reception before the event. But none attended the dinner itself.
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