Wisconsin GOP Senators Head to Washington to Collect Their Payoffs, er, Campaign Contributions

[eowyn_of_rohan]

Source: The Nation

Wisconsin state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, the consigliere for Governor Scott Walker in the legislative fight to eliminate collective bargaining rights for public workers and to make it easier for the governor to transfer public property to campaign donors in no-bid deals, will head to the nation’s capital Wednesday to collect tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Washington-based lobbyists for corporate interests.

Fitzgerald will be the “star” of a lavish fundraising event at the offices of the BRG lobbying group. The “B” is BRG stands for Barbour, as in veteran GOP fixer Haley Barbour, who is now the governor of Mississippi and a potential 2012 Republican presidential contender. The firm is one of the most powerful corporate-lobbying groups in Washington, and it will be delivering big for Fitzgerald and his fellow senators.

Lobbyists and DC insiders will pay $1,000 a piece to attend the session with Fitzgerald.
“Sponsors” will pay $2,500.
“Hosts” will pay $5,000.

.....The Wisconsin Republicans "are coming to D.C. on Wednesday to collect their payoff from corporate lobbyists after the GOP lawmakers voted last week in the dark of night to strip teachers, nurses, snowplow drivers and others of their collective bargaining rights," says Jos Williams, Metro Washington Council President. "These politicians might be willing to subvert our democratic process to move Wall Street's corporate agenda, but we're fighting to bring balance to our economy and protect middle-class families."

Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/159255/wisconsin-gop-sena...

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There should be a large "welcoming committee"!! A mass protest is scheduled outside the BGR headquarters at 601 13th Street NW in Washington. Among the groups protesting are:

* Public Campaign Action Fund
* AFSCME
* Public Citizen
* USAction
* Common Cause
* People for the American Way
* MoveOn.org
* The Center for Media and Democracy
* Code Pink
* Center for Community Change
* Progressive Change Campaign Committee

************** WISCONSIN THANKS YOU !! ***************

[HereSince1628]

1. Stupid things will be said at that fundraiser, it would be well worth $5000

to have a seat there to record them.

I imagine this is going to be one of the MOST CLOSED to the public and media fundraisers ever.

[old mark]

2. K&R- GOP politics is enough to make anyone sick...nt

[myrna minx]

3. This payoff was made for you tube. I can't wait to see the

the shockingly stupid stuff Fitzgerald will will say in gratitude.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

I can't wait to see the protestors on You Tube!

Code Pink can get very creative

[BeliQueen]

4. oh thank god--i won't be alone. n/t

[eowyn_of_rohan]

5. THANKS!

That is why i wanted to post this - to let people who are considering going that this will be THE place to be in DC tonight!

[NinetySix]

6. "F" Scott Fitzgerald. And "F" the rest of the cynical Wisconsin Republicans, too.

I'd love to see them on the breadlines alongside all of the workers they're trying to "F".

[Historic NY]

7. Its so nice to see a loud welcoming committee will be on hand.

[socialist_n_TN]

11. Yep. I hoped this would happen the first time I heard ........

about this little "payoff gala". Good to see that the Coalition is making it happen. We're coming together and adding more and more people every day. There's more of us than there is of them!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. BGR Group

BGR Group

WASHINGTON
The Homer Building
Eleventh Floor South
601 Thirteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

There's a link to a map too.

[GillesDeleuze]

9. I like the new direction Common Cause is going

Bob Edgar took a few years to get the ship on course.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

10. Great idea from Thom Hartmann -- Mini protests along routes

Let's hit those sidewalks!

http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2011/03/where-and-whe...

We need to convince potential GOP high-dollar contributors that they're pushing money towards a losing effort. While groups near the doors of the $1,000 to $25,000-a-plate fundraiser scheduled this week in DC will show support, on the street corners leading to the event we can do even more: convince potential donors to stay away through curbside miniprotesting.

Here's how this should look to Fredrick Fatcat in his black Caddy limo with a big check in his pocket:

A few blocks out from the event he sees a small group of four people, with a guy in the center holding a 30" x 40" main sign at waist level that says:

"Supporters of Wisc. GOP State Senators: You Won’t Get Your Money’s Worth"

(Other ideas for signs)

"Recalls Underway for 8 Wisc. State GOP Senators"
"You're Backing the Wrong Horse."
"Save Your Cash. Influence Not Forthcoming."
Stomp Unions and You Get Stomped Back. The Dem Wave Has Begun"

(MY FAVORITE) "Wisc. Gov. Walker Has Started the Crash of GOP Power Nationwide"

Miniprotests like these can be employed anywhere where there is actual direct access to the eyes of those that need to be convinced. The above scenario is with just 12 people. If you've got 10 times that many, then you can have 10 distinct protest strings lining the inbound streets from all directions, with redundant groups fanning out for a half-mile or more. You can check out more about miniprotesting and how it can be used in your town at

[socialist_n_TN]

13. GREAT idea! I would also plan a mini protest........

(or maybe NOT so mini) at Faux Noise outlets in every state too.

[Doctor_J]

15. Do you think this will do anything to deter them or the next bunch

or fascists? I have grave doubts. 150,000 people at the capitol building didn't stop them. Why will this?

[socialist_n_TN]

17. Once again it's NOT so much about deterring them........

or convincing them or changing them. They are probably beyond the pale. What 150k people in Madison, WI is about is changing the mood of the REST of the country. Getting Joe Sixpack out of his recliner and into the streets and politically aware and active. And guess what? It's working.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

19. You are absolutely right...

And this IS what is happening, and yes, it IS working.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

18. Gee, I don't know. We can all roll over and die

or we can give it our best. I am in the latter group.

[eppur_se_muova]

12. You have a real way with headlines! Love it! nt

[Doctor_J]

14. They're being pretty brazen announcing this

If and when we get ready to fight back, this sort of event should be a primary target. But I'm not holding my breath.

[Historic NY]

16. Look the dinner guests are arriving....

[eowyn_of_rohan]

20. lol - perfect ! -nt

[plumbob]

21. GOSH! Does this mean they're ABANDONING the state? OMG!

Shouldn't they be found in contempt???!! Fined??!!! Pilloried??!!


I prefer drawing and quartering, but apparently, there are some sort of regulations against that. Why, I cannot imagine.


Hmm, Republicans and money - there's bound to be some photo ops with whores and drugs! Someone needs to take a camera and follow these folks around. Illicit sex, bad behavior, drugs just naturally follow Republican bucks....

[eowyn_of_rohan]

22. +1000 -nt

[eowyn_of_rohan]

23. The Teamsters will also be protesting in DC tonight

The Wisconsin Republicans who voted with Koch whore Gov. Scott Walker are in Washington on Wednesday for a $1,000-a-head fundraiser from corporate lobbyists who represent foreign governments and the nuclear energy industry.

They will be met by hundreds – at least – of D.C.-area Teamsters, union supporters, concerned citizens and community activists who say enough is enough.

http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/