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Inaugural used for Democratic fund-raising

By Marcus K. Garner

Georgia political fundraisers have been called back into action, weeks after the the last ballots have been cast.

But this time, it’s the Presidential Inaugural Committee reaching out for donors to help fund the activities in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Letters went out today from area fundraisers offering event packages for up to $50,000 — the cap that Obama has set on individual donations — for tickets to the official inaugural ball, among other events.

“Without the fundraising for the inauguration, not as many people would expernience quite as much,” said Georgia Democratic Party secretary Stephen Leeds, who was tapped as one of Georgia’s fundraisers.

For the maximum donation, fundraisers are offering four tickets to a late-night welcome concert on Saturday, a Sunday brunch and reception, three Monday events including one of a number of dinners Obama is slated to attend, and the parade and ball on Tuesday, and hotel reservations in D.C.

There is no guarantee of tickets to the swearing-in on Tuesday, however, an Inauguration Committee spokesman said.

At $25,000, a donor gets two tickets to this event.

Fundraisers like Leeds reportedly get a perk for their hard work — if they bring in $300,000, they receive the four-ticket package.

The offer ends Friday evening.

—Jim Galloway is on vacation.

Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment |

Comments

By Sir Winston

December 11, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

So what. Both parties do that, and, may I add, It is completely legal. No story here.

However, how about covering, in the esteemed Urinal-Constipation Political Insider, the goings-on in Chicago. Corruption close to the President elect? A state Gov. accused of selling an office and other nefarious activities? Seriously, Marcus, Jim et.al, are you even trying to hide your bias anymore? No wonder this paper is bleeding subscribers like IL bleeds corrupt-Democrat Governors. Peace.

By mickeyd

December 11, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Maybe Steve Leeds can use some of these shake-down monies to buy some new bow ties. He is such a fruit.

By Gary

December 12, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Sir Winston I agree. It is sure funny that the AJC has seem to bury the IL Governor story since the initial reporting of it. I saw one glimpse of him saying he will not step down and nothing since. And you wonder why the paper continues to lose subscriptions and why they are now having to lay off people too.

Why I understand the goal is to report local political information, this is still a regional/national newspaper.

By BR

December 13, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Yah, why aren’t’ you covering a story with any substance? We all know who will be at the inauguration…Doprah, sleezy jackson, etc…Who cares? I plan on saving money by keeping my TV off! That way I don’t have to see any of it!

By Jane

December 13, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Did not Obama have 30M left over from his campiagn fund? Instead of pocketing the money he should pay for his own party instead of doing a Blagojevich on Georgia bussinesses.

By RaceCop

December 14, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

It is racist to to point out anything bad about Obama. First, he is A Democrat and everyone knows that Democrats are immoral and cannot be accused of wrong doing by virtue of their viturelessness. Secondly, he is black and that that makes the accuser a racist.

By Pi$$onaDawg

December 14, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

The country has been going broke for over a year, but OBAMA followers seem to just keep making this man RICH. Why? Do you really think he is going to spread His money back to you fools?

By Copyleft

December 14, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

RaceCop: No, criticizing the President just makes you anti-American and treasonous. Haven’t you been paying attention the last eight years?

Because we have… and we’re going to enjoy using your own tactics against you for the next eight. You’re really going to regret putting the president above the law!

By FDR

December 14, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Bush is absolutely the WORST President the U.S.A. has ever had.-Leaving Obama with an awful mess because “W” was so arrogant and incompetent.

By FDR

December 14, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

The U.S. Treasury Department is now pure SOCIALISM thanks to BUSH and his stupidity.

By JerryT

December 22, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

I have a question about the criticism. Are the only worthy news stories ones that have a judgmental quality? There’s no value to just plain information? If so, that would seem to indicate that the only newsworthy stories are those which are not so much “facts” as they are “opinion”. That would be weird.

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