Gop Peddling $5,000 Tickets For ‘Policy Forum’

Even as they accuse the Democrats of selling White House access, Senate Republicans are offering $5,000 tickets to a “policy forum” next month with Majority Leader Trent Lott and two dozen GOP colleagues.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is inviting big donors to share their “advice, experience and expertise” with Lott and other senators during a two-day meeting at a downtown Washington hotel.

Among senators invited to mingle with donors are Finance Committee Chairman William Roth of Delaware and nine members of his tax-writing panel; Majority Whip Don Nickles of Oklahoma, and Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici of New Mexico.

The occasion also is a special chance to meet the nine new GOP Senate freshmen, according to Lott’s fund-raising solicitation, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

“Like you, many of them are just beginning to step into the top ranks of Republican leadership, and I am sure that over the years you will share many special moments together,” he wrote.

The April 15-16 forum offers “plenty of opportunities to share your personal ideas and vision with some of our top Republican leaders, senators and panel members,” the letter promises.