Gifts, Cash Bonuses Allowed at Conventions -- on Taxpayers' Tab

[Tab]

Source: CQ Politics

Booze, bling and staff bonuses can be paid for with taxpayer dollars at the upcoming national party conventions under federal regulations, according to a memo the Congressional Research Service (CRS) prepared for Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn last month.

It's not clear, though, that either the Democrats or Republicans will actually provide such publicly financed perks.

Convention workers are eligible for gifts of values up to $150, and staff can be paid bonuses. These are permitted under Federal Election Commission regulations governing the $16.8 million each party gets from the federal Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) for its convention, according to a copy of the memo obtained by CQ Politics. There also is no prohibition on the parties' convention committees purchasing alcoholic beverages with public money.

A congressional aide who has seen the memo said that the alcohol question arises frequently.

"It's one of first questions staff and members always ask when you tell them taxpayers pay for conventions," the aide said.

But drinking parties aren't in the Democratic Party's plans, according to Natalie Wyeth, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Convention Committee in Denver. "I can't say for certain to every dollar and dime, but we don't do parties," Wyeth said. "That's not our focus."

Alcohol will not be sold at the concession stands in Denver's Pepsi Center, site of the first three days of the Democratic National Convention before it moves to the outdoor Invesco Field stadium to provide a more dramatic setting for Barack Obama's speech accepting the party's presidential nomination. But the occupants of private suites can purchase alcohol packages through a designated caterer, Wyeth said.

A spokeswoman for the Republican committee overseeing the party's convention in St. Paul, Minn., did not reply to a request for comment.

The five-page CRS memo was drafted in response to a query from Coburn's office about how public funds can be used by the convention committees. Coburn is one of the most outspoken Senate opponents of federal spending that he describes as wasteful.
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For example, up to $20,000 in public money can be used at each convention to purchase gifts for staff and volunteers of up to $150 each. In addition to basic convention-related expenses, including salaries, the funds can also used for bonuses, entertainment -- including alcohol -- and even investment of profits that would be used to defray the cost of the convention.

"Should the federal government be in the party business? I think that's the $33 million question this year," the congressional aide said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20080816/pl_cq_politics/politics2938495

[populistdriven]

1. this should be posted at the conventions inside every toilet stall

[clear eye]

2. Don't Lobbyists Usually Pay for that Stuff? n/t

[jmowreader]

3. Natalie. Come now. The alcohol's not for PARTIES, dear...

There is a good sound business reason they need taxpayer-funded alcohol at conventions...

You would have to be drunk off your ass to choose Adlai Stevenson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Michael Dukakis, Bob Dole, George W. Bush or John McCain as your party's standardbearer for the November election. And I figure that so long as the national party chairs keep on choosing these losers as their presidential candidates, the delegates have the right to as much free vodka as they want.

[Tracer]

4. Michael Dukakis is a Democrat.

nt

[Glorfindel]

5. So was Adlai Stevenson

n/t

[jmowreader]

6. I'm aware of that

As I am that Adlai Stevenson is a Democrat. I figure someone HAD to be drinking to choose those two.

In 1988, we lost the election 40 states to 10--we even lost California, for God's sake. In 1952, we lost the election 39 states to 9. Adlai Stevenson carried nine states in the South and lost Illinois--when you manage to lose the state you're the governor of, you know you're fucked.

So yes, I thoroughly support the right of the parties to buy booze with government funds. If you've got to be drunk off your ass to agree to support the party's candidate, why should we make you spend your own money on it?

[clear eye]

7. It wasn't Stevenson's Fault--

he was running against the superhero of WW II. There wasn't a Democrat who stood a ghost of a chance that year. But I love your explanation in general, and tend to agree about Dukakis. Ain't 20/20 hindsight grand?

[jmowreader]

8. There was another problem

A conservative journalist named Stewart Alsop sold Stevenson as this huge brainiac--you know, the kind of guy who's too smart to know anything. (Peter Sellers modeled the President Muffley character in Dr. Strangelove after Stavenson.) This may explain why he was able to manage losing his own state.

[clear eye]

10. He did love using those $2 words n/t

[WriteDown]

12. Other problems too..

he had a few quotes that were just gems. Insulting the intelligence of the American populace is never a good idea when you are trying to win elections.

[mbee]

9. I sent an email to DNC and Obama Campaign letting them

know I do not want money spent on corporate parties and I do not think Oprah Winfrey should be at the convention other than a regular spectator if that is allowed. I urge everyone to contact DNC and Obama Campaign and let them know exactly how you feel.

[clear eye]

11. Isn't that missing the point?

What difference what they use the money for. $16.8M?!! Isn't the amount the point? Not counting the taxpayer cost of providing local police and National Guard security! And I've been told that lobbyists rent suites in the delegates' hotel for parties with lots of "refreshments" and gift bags. But we can't afford to publicly fund U.S. Senatorial campaigns.