I found this little item a little odd, though somehow not quite surprising (Hat tip/RalstonReports):
R&R Partners…the mega-lobbying colossus of Democrat Billy Vassiliadis and Republican Pete Ernaut…will be hosting a fundraising reception next Thursday for Democrat Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, who is a lock for re-election.
So buying access in the election cycle; I get that.
But…the $500-a-plate dinner is a joint event which will simultaneously raise money for Republican state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, who isn’t even up this election cycle!
The invitation refers to Kieckhefer as “pragmatic.” In this instance, the word pragmatic is defined as: “Moderate Republican who often votes with Democrats, especially on bills to raise taxes and expand government.”
Kieckhefer chalked up a limp 63% in Citizen Outreach’s conservative ratings for the 2011 session, and yes, is one of those Republicans who refused to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and voted to re-impose that $620 million tax hike on all of us last session.
Gee, I wonder how he’s gonna vote next year when Gov. Sandoval, Assemblywoman Smith and R&R Partners push to renew those “temporary” taxes again?