Gov. Rowland Holds Bush’s First Fundraiser
WASHINGTON – For the first time since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, President George W. Bush is scheduled to attend a political fundraiser. It will be held on Oct. 25 in Washington, and Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, the new chairman of the Republican Governors’ Association, will be hosting the event.
The event, described as “An Evening with President George W. Bush,” will be held at the National Building Museum, and attendance is limited to members of the RGA’s Governors’ Club, a group of contributors who donate money to the RGA. Individual tickets cost $1,000 and corporate VIP tickets cost $5,000, with all proceeds going to the RGA. Those who cannot attend or join the Governors’ Club can get their names listed in the event program by donating $250 or more.
After the terrorist attacks, the Republican and Democratic National Committees had asked party members to hold off on fundraising until the first week in October.
Rowland sent out invitations to the fundraiser on Oct 1. The invitations describe the event as “a chance to rally around our President and prepare for the political challenges that lie ahead in 2002.” It adds that the event will bring together the President, the Republican Governors, Bush Administration officials “and a host of top Republican VIPs.”
“This relaxing and informative event will provide you with direct interaction with our GOP Governors to build and strengthen personal friendships and enable you to attend our business sessions where we exchange ideas, discuss policy and lay the groundwork to build on our accomplishments,” the invitation stated.
Clinton Key, the executive director of the RGA, said that they expect 750-1000 people to attend the fundraiser. Bush planned on attending when the fundraiser was scheduled eight months ago, but he is no longer confirming his schedule after Sept. 11. “We hope he’ll be there, but if not, we’ll understand and the event will go on,” Key said.
The next RGA fund-raiser is the group’s annual conference, on Nov. 8 in Las Vegas. Rowland became vice chairman of the RGA in February and became chairman when Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge resigned on Oct. 5 to become director of homeland security in the Bush White House.
Rowland’s duties as RGA chairman include coordinating government policy and election policy, signing off on fundraising events and endorsing the 29 Republican governors and the party’s other candidates. Dean Pagani, the director of communications for Rowland, said Rowland works six to eight hours a week as RGA chairman.
“No one has done more to exemplify and champion those values than Governor John Rowland, to which the people of Connecticut could attest,” said Ridge in a statement after his resignation. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with John, and I am confident that he will do a tremendous job at the helm of the RGA.”
