KANSAS' KEVIN YODER & THE GRAVEY TRAIN

Third District Freshman, Kevin Yoder, has earned a dubious distinction in D.C.  A collaborative reporting effort by OpenSecrets.org and The Fiscal Times lists Yoder as being in the top ten of House GOP freshmen who raised the largest share of PAC money throughout the 2010 election cycle.  Yoder came in eighth place.  He hauled in $448,525 from PACs.  The full report is on the OpenSecrets Blog at: http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/04/congressional-freshmen-saddled-with.html.

Yoder's been no slouch pacing his D.C. fundraising efforts through his first year in office. According to the Sunlight Foundation's Political Party Time Yoder has held four events.  On March 8th Yoder shared the limelight, but not the loot, with Illinois Republican Robert Dold and Arizona Republican Ben Quayle, son of former Vice President Dan Quayle.

Actually there was no limelight.  The dinner was held at a private residence within walking distance just northeast of the Capitol and a stone's throw from D.C.'s Stanton Park.  It is a typical Washington row house, built in 1910.  It has 6 bedrooms with 4½ baths.  That's good because you wouldn't want D.C. fat cats waiting in line at the john at this cozy soiree.

On April Fool's day Yoder wasn't pulling any pranks.  He took his "give me the money" campaign to another private residence.  This time he went just southeast from the Capitol to 412 First Street Southeast, a 3 bedroom 3 bath townhome.

May 12th Kevin Yoder took another stroll to pick up money.  The Fluor Corporation has a really nice townhouse at 403 East Capitol Street Southeast.  Just east of the Capitol this three story townhouse was built in 1850, has 7 bedrooms, and 5½ baths.  This dinner was hosted by Procter & Gamble, which has a sizeable plant at 1900 Kansas Avenue  in K.C.

Other hosts include John Simmons and Donna Stephens.  Simmons is a lobbyist at the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, & Feld, LLP. The Fluor Corporation is represented by Akin, Gump, et al.  Simmons is a former staffer for New York Republican Representative James T. Walsh.  Walsh retired at the end of the 110th Congress. Donna Stephens is a lobbyist for the Bayer Corporation which has two facilities in Yoder's district, an animal healthcare plant at 12707 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Shawnee Mission and a crop science facility at 17745 Metcalf Avenue in Stilwell.

Yoder emerged from his residential fundraising tour on May 25th going to the Republican's home base, the Capitol Hill Club.  This luncheon featured Alabama's Republican Representative Spencer Bachus.  Bachus voted for the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, believe helped create the 2007 financial crisis.  Bachus was also playing the market in 2007.  Wikipedia reports at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Bachus, that:

"In 2007, Bachus made trades with a number of short term stock options, betting that stocks would rise or fall for a quick profit or loss. Bachus made up to $160,000, including a bet in March that the stock market would drop that earned him between $15,000 and $50,000. Most members of Congress hold some stocks or mutual funds, but Bachus' rapid-fire trades are unusual for a leading member of Congress, particularly one with the key role of ranking member of the House Committee on Financial Services."

That's some "Special Guest" Yoder has in Spencer Bachus.  The going rate for the privilege of attending the events is $2,000 for a PAC Host; $1,000 for a Personal Host; $1,000 for a PAC lobbyist to attend; and $500 for person to attend.  

MORE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES GOING THE "DEBT RETIREMENT" ROUTE - even one showing a debt!

The Republicans' "Debt Retirement" fundraisers continued with Florida's Representative-elect' breakfast at the Capitol Hill Club. The suggested shakedown is: $2,500 for a PAC Host; $1,000 for PAC; and $500 Individual per contribution. The checks should be made payable to: Dennis Ross for Congress - 104 Hume Avenue Alexandria, VA 22301. See, http://politicalpartytime.org/party/24041/.


According to the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org Ross did not have a debt problem. His last report showed a surplus. He raised $1,063,311, spent $853,157, and as of October 13th had cash on hand in the sum of $210,152. He reported no debt at all. See, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030645&newMem=Y.

Ross has hired Epiphany Productions to run this event. Ross paid Epiphany Productions more than $35,000 during his campaign for fundraising consulting. What Epiphany Productions promises to do for their clients is detailed on their web site. Apparently Ross bought the package that:

Our fundraising team will work with you to establish parameters for your campaign. From individual events to long-term donor programs, we will develop a finance plan that includes timelines tied to funding goals and a structure to provide donor benefit fulfillment. epiphany will also draw upon our proprietary database to identify and solicit potential donors. List development is important, and we work closely with our clients to establish and maintain donor files. We help you meet your goals. See, http://epiphanyproductions.com/os_fundraising.php

New York's Republican Representative-elect Richard Hanna is not going to miss his chance to cut a fat hog with the so-called "Debt Retirement" fundraiser. Hanna's having a lunch for this purpose. He's asking for $1,000 per PAC and $500 per individual. See, http://www.blogger.com/goog_1096551025

The OpenSecrets.org report on him says he wasn't reporting debt as of 10/13/10. He raised $1,026,570, spent $843,536, and had cash on hand in the amount of $354,000. The invitation refers to Hanna's fundraising organization Catalyst Group, LLc. Hanna spent more than $22,000 on the Catalyst Group RW during his campaign for fundraising and campaign strategy consulting. The website catalystgroupllc.com is not yet up and running.

Pennsylvania's Republican Representative-elect Tom Marino's "Debt Retirement" event on December 7th at the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee headquarters. It's a luncheon. The suggested shakedown is kind of pricey. Marino wants $5,000 from Benefactors, $2,500 from Sponsors, $1,000 per Host, and $500 from Individuals. http://politicalpartytime.org/party/24037/.

Marino ran a relatively low budget campaign and did report debt. According to OpenSecrets.org he raised $549,558, spent $517,246, had cash on hand in the sum of $32,312, and had incurred a debt in the amount of $15,614. See, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00031777&newMem=Y.

In keeping with his low outlay campaign it appears that Marino did not retain the services of one of D.C.'s hired guns. The checks are to be made out to his campaign committee. The price is high but it looks like Marino won't be paying any commission on the receipts.  Good for him.

Adam Kinziner, the Republican Representative-elect from the Illinois 11th had a Debt Retirement breakfast yesterday at the Capitol Hill Club.  Kinzinger is another Epiphany Productions production and was looking to hit the cash rich in a big way.  PAC could contribute either $5,000, $2,400, or $1,000, individuals were asked to cough up $500.

OpenSecrets.org showed Kinzinger having raised $1,589,266 . spent $1,282,176, with cash on hand in the amount of $291,051.  Kinzinger wasn't reporting debt  as of 10/13/10.  See, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030667&newMem=Y.

Francisco "Quico" Canseco, Texas' Republican Representative-elect also decided to feed at the Debt Retirement trough.  He had a reception at the Capitol Hill Club where PACs and individuals each chipped in $1,000 for the privilege of being there. Canseco is using D.C.'s Bellwether Consulting Group.

The most honest Republican newby to date is Quico Canseco.  He piled up debt big time in his run for the House.  OpenSecrets.org says he raised $1,227,610, spent $1,111,989, had cash on hand in the amount of $147,961, and he reported debt in the staggering amount of  $1,148,750.  See, http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00026722&newMem=Y.