GOP Serves Special Interests Along with Beef Tenderloin

For Immediate Release
June 14, 2005

Contact: Karen Finney- 202-863-8148

DEAN: GOP Serves Special Interests Along with Beef Tenderloin at Tonight's
Fundraising Dinner

Washington, DC - Tonight, the Republican Leadership in Washington, DC will
celebrate after spending months working to achieve their top priority: raising
millions in special interest cash for their own campaign accounts. At the
President's Dinner in Washington, a lavish fundraiser for the party's House and
Senate campaign committees, GOP leaders will meet with top donors and lobbyists
and thank them for their support.

Instead of focusing on issues that affect most American families, like rising
gas prices, skyrocketing medical costs and keeping our country safe, Republican
leaders have been preoccupied with enhancing their own power and pleasing the
elite inside-the-beltway special interests.

"If the Republican Leadership had spent as much time working with Democrats to
address the concerns of the American people instead of raising campaign cash,
we might have real plans to lower health care costs, balance the budget and
create jobs," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "The American people deserve
elected officials who solve problems, not who abuse their power to enact an
agenda that is sold to someone at a multi-million dollar fundraiser."

In order to raise millions for tonight's dinner, the Republicans set "specific
goals for each lawmaker, a network of 35 team captains to track the collection
process just the way whips check on votes, and strategic leaks of the latest
tallies to embarrass recalcitrant members to get on the phone. Party leaders
pit the House against the Senate in going after donors, and lawmakers use their
tallies as a way to promote themselves for future leadership jobs." Post, 6/14/05]

They also abused their power by continuing their efforts to shake down K Street
lobbyists for cash. "Of the House's $14 million, $10 million is expected to
come from lawmakers' fundraising and a Washington program aimed at K Street,
run by former House members Bill Paxon and his wife, Susan Molinari."