Bush to attend fundraiser for congresswoman; she remains in D.C. for vote

[Robbien]

By SONJA BARISIC / Associated Press

President Bush was to attend an invitation-only, $5,000-a-plate luncheon Friday to raise money for U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, a first-term Republican who chose to remain in Washington for what a campaign aide called an important vote.

Drake's campaign manager said she planned to vote on a military appropriations bill. "Given a choice between attending a fundraiser and doing her job in support of the military she has to go with the military every time," Tim Murtaugh said.

"If I were her opponent, I would just be salivating at the chance to get just one picture of her with the president," Mark Rozell, professor of public policy at George Mason University, said of Drake. "I'm not even sure Bush can help in Republican districts around the country right now," Rozell said. "I would suspect that there are going to be a lot of Republican candidates this year sending a message to the White House that they actually don't want a presidential visit in their district."

. . .

Drake is being challenged by Philip J. Kellam, commissioner of revenue in Virginia Beach, a conservative city that Democratic Gov. Timothy R. Kaine narrowly won in last year's gubernatorial race. She's already the target of television ads by liberal political group MoveOn.org that accuse her of protecting her oil company contributors from tougher laws against price gouging.

. . .

This is the second time a top Republican has visited Hampton Roads to help Drake. Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at a February dinner in Norfolk that raised more than $200,000.

http://www.wvec.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8HMUIDG4.html

[Joe_VB]

1. Traffic is all fouled up around here today....

Friggin moron should just stay in DC till he is impeached next year.

Just my opinion.

Joe

[AndyTiedye]

2. They Still Sort-of Like Him in Idaho and Utah, and a Little bit in Wyoming

[Brazenly Liberal]

5. Too bad for him prairie dogs can't vote

The best part? Remember when Gore lost Tennessee in 2000 and the GOPbots had orgasms over it? Well, that list of three states that still like Bush doesn't include Texas. Sweeeeeeet!

[katinmn]

3. Statement from challenger Kellam:

http://www.philkellam.com/passing/pass.cfm?section=press&id=36

Statement from Phil Kellam on President Bush's Fundraising Visit
5/19/06 Press Release, Charles Kelly - 757.427.5785

VIRGINIA BEACH - "While I respect the President and his office, this trip is all about politics, and nothing to do with the needs of the people of the 2nd District.

The truth is that Thelma Drake and I have starkly different priorities. I want to be a pragmatic, results-oriented advocate for this district. She has been nothing more than a loyal foot soldier for the status quo in Washington, DC by caving into her congressional leaders. We live in a wonderful part of Virginia, and it deserves an independent representative - that puts OUR interests and needs ahead of petty partisanship in Washington. Congress is an ugly, sordid mess right now.

Thelma Drake has gone along with congressional leaders who are paralyzed by ethical investigations and rank partisanship. The President's visit here today does nothing to change that, and it only underscores Thelma's intent to play national politics while my campaign focuses on solving problems and addressing issues that will help people here in the 2nd District."

[UrbScotty]

4. Remember what happened last time? Kilgore lost!

I smell a good TV ad coming.

[struggle4progress]

6. With President as the Guest, the Hostess Sends Regrets (NYT)

By JIM RUTENBERG
Published: May 20, 2006
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky., May 19 — President Bush came to Kentucky on Friday to talk up the economy and raise money for a fellow Republican, Representative Geoff Davis, who faces a potentially tough re-election battle in the fall. As expected, Mr. Davis showed up for the special visit.

But another Republican who had Mr. Bush as the star attraction of a fund-raising event earlier on Friday, Representative Thelma Drake of Virginia, did not ..

Ms. Drake's office said she had no choice but to skip Mr. Bush's visit on her behalf because she had to be on Capitol Hill for an important appropriations vote involving $150 million in military spending for her district, much of it for veterans' health care.

The appropriations were approved 395 to 0 ..

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/20/washington/20bush.html?_r=1&oref=slogin