Another Victory for Good Government
Following intense pressure, Governor Kaine has decided to to cancel a reception honoring Mary Sue Terry’s Farm Team PAC at the Governor’s Mansion. Of course, by honor, we mean charge up to $1,000 a ticket. From the WaPo:
The Farm Team, a political action committee formed to help Democratic women seek elected office, posted a solicitation on a liberal fundraising Web site seeking donations from $25 to $1,000 to attend a series of events Monday in Richmond. The appeal invited people who purchased a ticket to a panel discussion at the Richmond Marriott to a reception at the governor’s mansion.
The invitation was posted on ActBlue, a nationwide clearinghouse for donors who want to direct money to Democratic campaigns and causes. The invitation did not mention Kaine (D) but said his wife, Anne Holton, and Lynda Robb, wife of former governor Charles S. Robb (D), were helping host the event.
“Funds raised through this event support The Farm Team,” the advertisement stated.
Several prominent Virginia politicians, including former attorney general Mary Sue Terry (D), formed the PAC in September. It recently begin doling out donations, including $1,000 last month to Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon S. Bulova(Braddock), the Democratic nominee for board chairman.
Under Virginia law, Kaine is prohibited from raising money for himself or state political committees during the 45-day legislative session, which began Jan. 14. Traditionally, Virginia governors also do not raise money at the governor’s mansion, although no law prohibits it, said David Allen, manager of the Virginia State Board of Elections.
But the possibility that it might appear that Kaine was using the mansion to raise money for Democrats prompted the governor to distance himself from the event.
I would disagree with the Governor’s assertion that it was just the “appearance” of raising funds for Democrats, given that the PAC’s explicit mission is “supporting Democratic women,” but I digress. And while The Washington Post wants you to believe that they were the ones who blew this story open, who was really on it first? Norm Leahy at Tertium Quid.
Good work Norm! Not only for the victory for good government, but for proving yet again that reporters just HATE having to find their own stories.
