Schwarzenegger breaks fundraising record at up to $500,000 for dinner seat

[kskiska]

During his movie career, Arnold Schwarzenegger could demand the highest fees in Hollywood. And he's lost none of his knack for raising money now that he's a politician.

Next week the California governor heads to New York for a dinner that is being billed as the biggest fundraiser in the history of politics. Guests have been invited to donate between $50,000 and $500,000 for a seat at the meal. Even President George Bush cannot command such sums.

Mr Schwarzenegger has smashed all known records for political fundraising, netting an estimated $5.2m since the beginning of the year.

The Terminator star, who celebrates his 100th day in office next week, is on the stump to raise money for advertising campaigns aimed at persuading Californians to back measures designed to stabilise the state's perilous finances.

But the New York dinner, at the Manhattan home of Robert Wood Johnson IV, and arranged by New York governor George Pataki, has left some with a sour taste in their mouths.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1152953,00.html

[Mithras61]

1. Maybe Ah-nuld could donate...

some of that $5.2M to CA to help "stabilse the state's perilous finances." I know it won't really dent the need, but if he's such a fantastic fund raiser, maybe he could raise some $ for CA...

Just a thought. I know it's a small one, but sometimes ya gotta make do!:)

Edited for grammer :shrug:

[hedgetrimmer]

12. Thats what I thought... Do some $ raising for CA... n/t

[mike1963]

2. Lap dance extra.

:eyes:

[loudnclear]

3. It's truly obscene how much money wealthy have to waste on

political contributions. It probably equals the tax cuts they received they didn't need the money anyway. But the rest of the country sure could use those tax revenue dollars now.

[Unforgiven]

5. No

inequities in this country, eh?

[mobuto]

9. Its small potatoes

Politics is still dirt cheap.

$100,000 from a telecom or an oil company to a candidate can result in legislation that nets that company $50 or $100 million.

Its a bargain.

We need more CFR.

[bleedingheart]

4. I bet a lot of wealthy bankers will be donating money in order

to get paid back in the interest the Californians will have to pay for the loans/bonds...etc

[mac2]

6. Arnold borrowed money to run....

I heard he owes $4M. Where is he going to plunder this amount?

[twilight]

7. Ahnuld better keep raising money and lots of it

because ...

Measure(s) 57 & 58 are doomed to fail. Then what gropenazi? No bonds = no job for you freak! Then what?

:grr: :grr: :grr:



:dem: :kick:

[otohara]

8. Disgusting

is this legal? I thought the limit was 2000

[mobuto]

10. I don't know what California law says

$2000 is the limit for federal candidates. Ahnold is not a federal candidate - only CA law applies.

[ramapo]

11. So sick

So disturbing, distressing, and disgusting. Governement for the rich, by the rich.

[RowWellandLive]

13. As it has been

and will be for a long time to come.

[Endangered Specie]

14. I thought he said on Jay Leno that he "had plenty of money".. never enough