Got $1,000? How about $5,000? Then you're good enough to see Tim Walberg and George W. Bush!

Tonight, President George W. Bush will be coming to Livonia, Michigan, to raise money for Congressman Tim Walberg and the other members of the Michigan Congressional delegation. Sadly, it's too late to RSVP, so if you haven't already purchased your $1,000 ticket or paid $5,000 for a photo with the president, you missed your chance.

Here's the invitation (click for a larger image):

Now, don't be fooled. Congressman Walberg is listed last because of alphabetical order, but he's probably the one who's most in need of this fundraiser. This is the race already rated as a toss-up by Roll Call and the Cook Political Report, both of which are generally conservative in their ratings. There's no doubt that Walberg, who's fundraising has been lagging behind Mark Schauer, and who was out-raised by David Nacht last year, will appreciate some cash from Bush donors.

Though, I couldn't help but notice the little note at the bottom of the invitation:

Photo identification required for entry.
Video cameras are prohibited. Still photography is permitted; however, cameras
with video recording capability must have the video function disabled.

So, not only do you have to pay $1,000 just to get in the door, but you have to leave any video equipment behind, because they don't want any evidence of what was being said to make it out into the rest of the world.

A few observations:

Tim Walberg doesn't want you to know about it.

The fundraiser is taking place outside the 7th District, and no district newspaper has even mentioned it-- the only press coverage that mentions both Walberg and Bush with this event has been in the Detroit News. You will find no mention of this on Walberg's House website or campaign website.

President Bush is very unpopular.

Nationwide, an LA Times/Bloomberg poll taken between June 19 and June 23 put President Bush's positive rating at 24 percent and his negative rating at 68 percent. In Michigan, the Detroit News article mentioned above cites an EPIC/MRA poll that puts President Bush's job approval at a mere 22 percent for our state. Way back in March, a Detroit News/WXYZ poll of the 7th District found that in our district, with 47 percent Republicans or lean-Republican independents, Bush received only a 37 percent positive rating and a 62 percent negative rating. This was in March, when Bush was polling at 33 percent positive nationwide (according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll), so Bush has probably dropped in our district by a comparable margin.

(In the Detroit News/WXYZ poll of this district in March, Tim Walberg received a 39 percent positive rating and a 38 percent negative, dangerous territory for an incumbent.)

Republican elitists?

Tim Walberg won't let you see him and the president together unless you pay a minimum of $1,000 for this posh leadership dinner, a dinner which will directly benefit him, and will take place outside of this district.

Meanwhile, state Senator Mark Schauer, one of the Democratic candidates running to replace Walberg, is holding a repeat of the Pasty Pie challenge he held last fall:

Our goal is to reach 100 donations between now and June 30. We will select a winner at random, and I will come to that person’s house and make a pasty pie for you and your family – and do the dishes!

Here's the video from Jackson TV of Schauer cooking a pasty:



Sharon Renier, the other Democrat running in the 7th District, is also holding an event soon-- "Votestock 2008" (.pdf), and all-day event featuring food and music, all to be held on Sharon Renier's own farm.

So, when you compare Tim Walberg's event to his Democratic challengers, I have to ask, how is it that we're the people with the "elitist" reputation?

Labels: 2008 Election, Fundraising, George W. Bush, Mark Schauer, Republican Party, Sharon Renier, Tim Walberg