Ayotte raising money on Capitol Hill
Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2009 Share on Facebook
WASHINGTON – Kelly Ayotte was in Washington yesterday raising money for her run for the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee hosted a $500-a-person reception last night at its headquarters near the Capitol with special guests Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the committee.
Brooks Kochvar, campaign manager for Ayotte, said he did not know how many people were expected at the event, which was closed to the press. One of the guests seen leaving the party, though, was Sen. Gregg.
Gregg said the former New Hampshire attorney general was a great candidate. "We certainly hope to raise more money to support her," the senator said.
As she left the reception, Ayotte said, "I've been talking to a lot of people throughout New Hampshire and working hard for the campaign, and I think obviously New Hampshire voters will decide this election."
In addition to the committee reception, there were two other fundraisers scheduled in Washington on the same day. One was a fund-raising lunch at Charlie Palmer Steak near Capitol Hill and the other was hosted by Washington-based lobbyist Rick Murphy, a former staffer in Sen. Gregg's office.
Kochvar said he did not know how much money Ayotte has raised so far. Candidates for U.S. Senate must file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission disclosing all their receipts and disbursements. The report for the quarter ending Sept. 30 is due Oct. 15.
Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes, meanwhile, was fundraising for his own campaign for the Senate at an event at the offices of Cornerstone Government Affairs, a Capitol Hill lobbying firm.
Get Morning Headlines and News Alerts from UnionLeader.com
YOUR COMMENTS
The voices of UnionLeader.com readers: To join UnionLeader.com's discussion of the news, use the form below.
NOTE: If you have read this article before, you may not be seeing the newest comments. Press F5. Or click "Refresh" or "Reload" at the top of this page while holding down Ctrl. All approved postings will appear. (Another option for Firefox users is the Clear Cache add-on.)
Hey Albert, do you mind when the liberals get millions from Hollywood, George Soros, Move-on.org, ACORN????
To counter the massive influx of dollars from the liberal-do as we say , screw the Constitution groups, she's gonna have to get it from anywhere she can.
If the Repubs put up Mickey Mouse, he'd get my vote just to keep Hodes out.
- Mike, Nottingham
If Kelly is going to run a competitive campaign against Hodes she will need money, and lots of it. Why would anyone care where that money came from? Do you think Hodes is focusing his fundraising efforts in NH? Get real people. Not only was Kelly Ayotte an excellent AG, she would certainly represent her constituents if elected. It takes millions to successfully fund a campaign, you can't make millions at a BBQ.
- Bill, Peterborough
PS--Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and the National Republican Senatorial Committee he chairs seem to favor "electable" candidates over those who believe in things. A Sep. 10 article by Aaron Blake in The Hill repeats this charge, made by Chuck Devore in California after the NRSC backed Carly Fiorina. Devore accuses the NRSC of backing "non-conservative" candidates and having a poor track record.
Ayotte's extreme slowness in defining a MESSAGE, a reason why we should vote for her, is certainly why better-defined conservatives and even private citizens are contemplating the race. What is she doing? focus-group-testing her identity? What we need to know NOW is that she will provide principled, well-explained opposition to Obama's rush toward big government, not a candidate who is acceptable to Judd Gregg.
- Spike, Brentwood NH
Kelly Ayotte has been a horrible AG. She opposed the Castle Doctrine bill and wants to require people to show ID just to buy cough syrup. In other words, she supports big government. She won't get my vote.
- SHJ, Lebanon
Ken, if I have a big bank account rather than a union phone bank, why does my right to petition my government for redress of grievances under the 1st Amendment require that I give up my right to be secure in my "papers and effects" under the 4th?
Full disclosure (instantly, and by Internet) is the position of the Republican Party (whose leaders are anxious for us to know that they do have computers) but this position once again concedes that there is something wrong with unconditional individual rights.
Phil Gramm came into NH, decades ago, with buckets of cash--and couldn't sell his message. So what is so dirty about money? Do we have any evidence that campaigns are better when America's achievers are impeded from using their earnings to influence them?
- Spike, Brentwood NH
Looks like Nh will have the best bought candidate ever in this person. Sad to say it appears she is busy selling out to outside pressure groups but is at least getting good high prices for what she might offer. Good old Yankee way of doing it , even Daniel Webster reminded a backer, he would be less favorable to the banks interest unless a retainer was not continued.
- albert, northwood
I mind that fundraising is taking place in Washington, D.C. for a candidate that is supposed to be representing New Hampshire. Lobbyist-hosted? Of course! That's the way the game is played. Too much time connecting with people who are not your constituents. The citizens of your state are your clients - your only clients - treat us as such. If we take our business elsewhere, you're out of business.
I like the spaghetti dinner suggestion, but how about $15/plate - that's about what it'd cost for a night out.
- Jay, Nashua
I am okay with a person being allowed to contribute more than a million dollars to a candidate if disclosure takes place.
I am okay with a person being allowed to contribute more than a million dollars each to several candidates if disclosure takes place.
Little known candidates may be better able to run against well known candidates.
The issues may be discussed better.
New parties may be more formed and their candidates may be more competitive with Republicans and Democrats.
It bothers me when fundraisers take place that require people to pay $500 to meet a candidate.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH
I hope they will decide to have some fundraisers that are $25 or less per person.
They might want to have some barbecues, spaghetti dinners, and brunches.
It bothers me when fundraisers take place that require people to pay $500 to meet a candidate. I think it is a good way to lose voters. I think many people feel that if they do not have money they are not going to be listened to.
I hope many Democrats, Republicans, and others are going to be running for Governor, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate. I hope they will discuss their views in great detail before the primary election. I hope candidates will be able to ask each other questions during the debates.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH