Bush visit has backers dishing out
What do you wear to meet the president?
On Tuesday, the Crane sisters – teenagers from Brewster – searched the shopping malls and boutiques of Wenatchee for something appropriately presidential.
“It’s supposed to be business attire,” said Rachel Crane, 19. “Some sort of dress, maybe, or a nice pair of slacks and a button-up shirt.”
The Cranes’ parents bought them tickets for President George Bush’s visit to Spokane Thursday night, the first presidential stop here in more than a decade. They are among the hundreds of Republican supporters across the state quickly preparing for Bush’s visit this week, which wasn’t confirmed until last Friday.
A stockbroker had his suit cleaned. Company executives submitted Social Security numbers and birthdates to the White House for security clearance. Seattle Republicans chartered a 757 jet, at $300 a seat, to touch down in Spokane just minutes before Air Force One.
“For Spokane, it’s just tremendously exciting,” said Tony Bonanzino, president of the biotech firm Hollister-Stier, who bought tickets for his family of four. “It’s not every day you get to sit at a dinner with the president of the United States.”
The $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser for Senate challenger George Nethercutt had drawn about 500 people as of Tuesday afternoon. After a relatively slow weekend, e-mails and faxes flooded the campaign this week.
“For security reasons, we couldn’t advertise the event too far in advance,” said Alex Conant, a Nethercutt spokesman. “Everyone’s just finding out about it.”
Meanwhile, Spokane Republican leaders waited anxiously for more details, any details, of the dinner. Bush will land at Fairchild Air Force Base shortly after 5 p.m., speak at the fund-raiser at the Spokane Ag Trade Center and then fly to Fort Lewis, Wash., Thursday night, according to White House officials. The president is scheduled to speak to troops Friday morning.
But the specifics of his Spokane visit – his motorcade’s route, details of the talk, the dinner menu – have not yet been disclosed.
“If it’s like any other visit from a dignitary, about 24 hours before the event they’ll let us know the details,” said Jon Wyss, vice chairman of the Spokane Republican party.
Bush fans who can’t afford the price tag will line the streets of Spokane as the president’s motorcade passes, Wyss said.
Meanwhile, at Riverfront Park, the state Democratic Party will counter with a barbecue including the slogan, “Burgers Against Bush.” The Democrats will offer hamburgers and veggie burgers to contrast Bush’s pricey dinner with “fat cats,” a press release from the party’s office announced.
Nethercutt’s campaign hopes Bush’s visit can boost the Spokane Republican in his battle against incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, who leads in both fund-raising and the most recent polls
“To some people, the $1,000 – that’s a sticking point,” said James O’Connell, president of a Spokane brokerage firm and a member of Nethercutt’s finance committee. “But for presidential events, that’s the fare.”
By comparison, a May fund-raiser for Nethercutt charged $30 a person and attracted 800 people, O’Connell said.It’s a far cry from Bush’s visit as a candidate in 1999, when tickets to a breakfast cost $20 and came with coffee, juice, muffins and fruit.
“It’s spendy, no question,” said Robin Ball, head of the county’s Republican Party. “But for our base of voters, it’s really important to get them to understand how important Washington state is in the national election.”
But while the state is seen as up-for-grabs in the presidential race, local politics have long leaned toward conservative candidates. Spokane County donations in the past year have been overwhelmingly Republican. County residents have poured more than $1 million into election races, with 81 percent going to Republicans, according to federal election filings.
In Spokane, Bush has raised $48,391, far ahead of John Kerry’s $18,950, according to the most recent data. On Thursday, all the money raised will go to the Nethercutt campaign, officials said.
If local GOP supporters raise $10,000, they will earn admittance into a pre-dinner reception where they will have a chance to have their picture taken with the president. Individuals can donate up to $8,000; the rest must be raised from others.
On Tuesday, Rick Melanson, a Spokane financial analyst and Nethercutt campaigner, called potential donors from his office overlooking the city. By noon, his two-day total stood at $9,000.
“I’ve got to get one more person to write that check,” he said, punching in a number from his database of Republican supporters.
“I’m calling for George . . . Nethercutt,” Melanson said, tapping a pen on his desk. “Could you contribute to the level of four digits?”
Within minutes, Melanson secured a commitment and his chance to be photographed with the president. For him, the price paled in comparison to the chance to see and hear Bush speak.
“It’s a small price to pay for that much fun,” he said. “It’s just going to be an honor to be in the room with him.”
The Crane teenagers will attend the dinner with their cousin, Melanie Wyss, a Spokane Republican volunteer. The Cranes’ parents, who own and operate a fruit orchard in northcentral Washington, will not attend the event but sent their two daughters instead.
On their Tuesday shopping trip, 18-year-old Kaylan picked out black slacks, a pinstriped dress jacket and a lavender shirt. Rachel, though, found nothing suitable for her first dinner with a president.
“I’ll try to figure out something to say to him,” Rachel said of her preparations. “First, I have to find some clothes.”