For the low low price of $108 former and present staff can meet with Rep. John Doolittle

[AlCzervik]

who may or may not be retiring.


Doolittle invites past and present staff to Wednesday meeting

By David Whitney - [e-mail]
Published 1:25 pm PST Tuesday, January 8, 2008

WASHINGTON - Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, was flying back to Sacramento Tuesday and has scheduled a meeting with his staff first thing Wednesday morning, according to an aide who asked for anonymity.

The meeting comes amid growing speculation that Doolittle is prepared to announce his retirement this week. The source reported having no information to either refute or corroborate a retirement announcement other than to say that such staff meetings are not unusual.

But this one does seem a bit different because former staff members have been invited to sit in. That makes it more likely the topic of discussion will be of broader concern to Doolittle loyalists than the nuts and bolts of office operations.

Doolittle also has scheduled a "Team 2008"" meeting for Thursday morning to talk about 2008.

According to the congressman's campaign website, "Team 2008 is a group of my most trusted friends, supporters and advisors who meet for lunch on a regular basis to discuss what is going on back in Washington."

The web site explains that for a $108 contribution, team members get rights to exclusive meetings "soliciting your counsel on legislative and political issues, as well as keeping you informed about what is really going on in Washington, D.C."



http://www.sacbee.com/102/v-print/story/619192.html

[blogslut]

1. How is that legal?

How can a congressman charge people to meet with him? How in the hell is that legal? To steal a not-written line by Jon Stewart, "That $108.00 is for ...shipping costs."

[AlCzervik]

2. sure looks like pay to play doesn't it? He must be trying to figure out if he has any

fund raising ability left. We're all waiting for the word, will he retire or not, i kind of hope not because i think the democratic opponent who came the closet to unseating him last go round can solidly trounce him this time out.