The Obscenity of Campaign Contributions

Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan fundraising in Massachusetts with high-dollar events in Chestnut Hill

By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, are coming to Chestnut Hill next week for a reception at the home of former Reebok CEO Paul Fireman, followed by a $75,000-a-plate dinner at the home of New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft.

An invitation obtained by the Globe shows the reception at the Firemans’ home costs at least $2,500 per person, and a “VIP reception” with Ryan costs $50,000 a person. The “Romney Victory Dinner” at the Krafts’ home immediately following has a suggested contribution level of $75,000.

That dinner is also open to contributors who raise $100,000 from others, and the Ryan reception is open to those who raise $50,000 from other contributors.

Romney does not disclose his “bundlers,” or contributors who get their friends and colleagues to donate checks to the campaign at events like the Chestnut Hill fundraiser. Individual contributors can give up to $2,500 to a candidate and $30,800 to a political party, and donations to super PACs working separately on the campaign are unlimited.

Kraft, a son of the Patriots’ owner Bob Kraft, started his career at Bain & Co., where Romney previously worked.

“Jonathan has known Mitt for 30 years and has been involved in non-profit boards with him. They are friends and when a friend who is running for president asks for a favor, you do it,” said Stacey James, a spokesman for the Kraft Group, of which Jonathan Kraft is president and chief operating officer.

The event’s hosts also include Staples Inc. founder Tom Stemberg, Bain Capital managing director Paul Edgerley, and Robert A. Maginn Jr., another Bain & Co. alum who is now chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Maginn and Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom did not respond to requests for comment.

The Romney campaign fell behind President Obama last month in fundraising, spending more than his campaign was taking in during month. The campaign started September with about $50 million cash on hand, compared to nearly $90 million for Obama, news organizations reported Friday. Romney also still owes $15 million of the $20 million his campaign borrowed in August to get through primary season.


http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2012/09/21/mitt-romney-paul-ryan-fundraising-massachusetts-with-high-dollar-dinners-chestnut-hill/pJIS4s3Q2lVDHPDMPTysCM/story.html