LOS ANGELES — The Republican National Committee is gathering its most generous donors at a Napa Valley resort this week to enjoy rounds of golf, wine tastings and cigar smoking and hear speeches from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey and other party luminaries.
Couples are being asked to pay $60,800 for the three-day event that begins Thursday, with a kickoff dinner featuring a speech from former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, according to an invitation.
The event gives the party a chance to pamper its most generous givers, whose check-writing is crucial for the GOP to meet its fundraising goals for the 2010 elections.
According to the invitation, the donors will enjoys private meals and receptions with Giuliani and other party leaders. While staying at the lavish Meadowood Napa Valley — where "estate suites” start at $2,500 a night according to its website — contributors can play golf, go skeet shooting or attend wine tastings. A Friday night event offers "nightcaps and cigars.”
The event is for donors known as Republican Regents or Team 100 members, top donors to the national committee, which collects the proceeds.
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RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox confirmed the fundraiser is taking place but provided no further details.
Committee Chairman Michael Steele made an appearance in San Francisco earlier Thursday, where he expressed confidence that Republicans would sweep top races in Democratic-leaning California this year.
Last month, the RNC’s finance director was among officials forced out in a scandal involving reimbursements for donors who attend a bondage-themed nightclub in Los Angeles. In January, a group of young Republicans at West Hollywood’s Voyeur night ran a tab of almost $2,000, which was picked up by the RNC. The committee said later it would be reimbursed by a donor who had attended.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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