Republicans spent $1,946 at topless club

[CG51]

WASHINGTON — The Republican National Committee spent $1,946 last month at a ***-themed Hollywood club that features topless dancers and bondage outfits. Now the GOP wants its money back.

Listed in a monthly financial report, the amount is itemized as expenses for meals at Voyeur West Hollywood.

RNC spokesman Doug Heye said Monday the committee doesn't know the details of how the money was spent, all who may have attended or the nature of the outing, except to say it was an unauthorized event and that the expenditure was inappropriate.

The RNC will be reimbursed by Erik Brown of Orange, Calif., the donor-vendor who billed the committee for the club visit, Heye said.

Brown did not respond to an e-mail and phone message seeking comment. The transaction was first reported by the Daily Caller.

Since November, the RNC has paid Brown's company, Dynamic Marketing Inc., about $19,000 for printing and direct-mail services, campaign spending reports show. He has contributed several thousand dollars to the party.

The most recent financial disclosure report said the RNC spent more than $17,000 for private planes in February and nearly $13,000 for car services. Heye said such services are used only when needed.

The $1,946 for meals at Voyeur West Hollywood was the most eye-catching item in the monthly report. RNC Chairman Michael Steele, whose spending decisions have angered some donors in this midterm election year, had nothing to do with the nightclub expenditure, Heye said.

The conservative group Concerned Women for America said the RNC should disclose more about the episode.

"Did they really agree to reimburse nearly $2,000 for a bondage-themed night club?" group president Penny Nance asked in a statement. "Why would a staffer believe that this is acceptable, and has this kind of thing been approved in the past?"

Much of the most lavish spending by the major political parties is associated with fundraisers, which often target wealthy people.
The RNC spent $144,549 for rooms at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in 2009. On March 19, 2009, it spent $31,980 for catering by the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.

The RNC paid $18,361 over the past several months to the "Tiny Jewel Box" in Washington for "office supplies," which may have included trinkets or gifts for big donors. It spent $13,622 at Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City.
Complete article:


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5icTETB_uSQnOSdtZmS_Qn5YO74PgD9EOIMLG0

[I can't think of a name]

It was a young donor after party. I am sure this happens with other organizations. The real bonehead part was whoever at RNC headquarters approved this expense instead of making the participants pay for it.

Contrary to popular believe a lot of politically active Republicans are not social conservatives.

[profall]

What's wrong with going to a ***** bar?

[SoftLion]

Politicians at a strip club. Sand at the beach.

[SoSo]

It was a young donor after party. I am sure this happens with other organizations. The real bonehead part was whoever at RNC headquarters approved this expense instead of making the participants pay for it.

Contrary to popular believe a lot of politically active Republicans are not social conservatives.

I'm sure as hell not! You said it: too many people believe Republicans are preppies who are against ***. Hopefully, this will help dispell the unfortunate stereotype. Money well spent, in my opinion!

[Panchito12]

What's wrong with going to a ***** bar?


It's a "Gentleman's Club" if you please.

[sgt_G]

It's a "ti-tay bar" if you please.

fixed due to I hate PCisims p-)

[Dominique]

I could care less if the ywan to hit a stip club, but if you're doing it on someone else's dime, then you're going to have to follow their rules. And for the amoutn of loot they dropped, they better have had adamned good time. ;)

[SoftLion]

I could care less if the ywan to hit a stip club, but if you're doing it on someone else's dime, then you're going to have to follow their rules. And for the amoutn of loot they dropped, they better have had adamned good time. ;)

Oh c'mon, you know damn well they spent it all on samiches and club soda.

[Chulo]

It was a young donor after party. I am sure this happens with other organizations. The real bonehead part was whoever at RNC headquarters approved this expense instead of making the participants pay for it.

Contrary to popular believe a lot of politically active Republicans are not social conservatives.

I like how they set up a title like that knowing it is not true. The Republican party did not organize, plan or authorize this party. As the article admits Erik Brown, a party donor and vendor billed them for $1,946 for meals at the Hollywood club. The only thing they did wrong was to pay his bill without questioning it before issuing the check.

[Dominique]

Oh c'mon, you know damn well they spent it all on samiches and club soda.

I'm sure they did, but spraying sodas on womens breasts, as they sanwhich you could still be considered a good time, in some areas. ;)

[shocker1]

That is not that much money for a large group at a Premium establishment.

[Dominique]

That is not that much money for a large group at a Premium establishment.

Maybe the got a group discoount, or were stingy on tips.

[CG51]

That is not that much money for a large group at a Premium establishment.

I can take you to some dives in Jax. One is a strip bar/liquor store. $30 gets you anything. Make sure you have more than one rubber.

[shocker1]

Sounds like only four or five of the group was spending, while the nerds lurked.

[Panchito12]

I would really be proud of the GOP operatives if they actually went to the establishment and engaged the services of the ladies to participate in a game of SMILES.

Yeah you WESTPAC and/or Panama City vets know exactly what I'm talking about.;-)

[California Joe]

Makes me actually like them. Good show.

[wildcat]

Makes me actually like them. Good show.

better than hitting on some dude in the airport bathroom.

I thought all politicians went to such places, so why is this news.

[tin foil]

Or is this a wag the dog, to try to smear the repubs more in the leftist media, because people are a little pissed at the current administration, and some of those politicians are probably feeling the heat come next election?

or maybe the topless club is just a cover for the GOP, they really spend all night in the bathroom trying to pick up the johns.

[/tin foil]

[Clear_blues]

maybe this is what more politicians need, a lap dance. Maybe then they can get sh)t done.

[JUNKHO]

better than hitting on some dude in the airport bathroom.

I thought all politicians went to such places, so why is this news. Or is this a wag the dog, to try to smear the repubs more in the leftist media, because people are a little pissed at the current administration, and some of those politicians are probably feeling the heat come next election.


"Yoo-hoo - oh Wimbley"

[SoSo]

Oh God, why did you have to bring up the infamous Larry Craig, Mister Wide Stance? Even Mark Souder, who is probably my least favorite Republican, called on him to resign, to spare the party the embarrassment, but he wouldn't. Say what you will about Mark Foley, at least he admitted to what he did, took ownership, resigned his seat and got out of the limelight immediately.

[Kit]

There are hetero******s in the GOP? You don't say...

[click]

And democrats want us to spend billions on health care reform.

[deagle]

well, tahts how much it was accounted for, who knows how much more was taxpayer cash money under the champagne room table.

[Kant]

I thought the GOP was the big money party.
Sounds like a softcock effort to me.

[I can't think of a name]

well, tahts how much it was accounted for, who knows how much more was taxpayer cash money under the champagne room table.

The only reason this came to light is because it was expensed to the RNC. Anything else was private money.

[Arnie100]

I bet if it were about Democrats, it would be ignored!

[HK in AK]

Hey, at least they are helping out the economy! I say they need to hang out at Hooters more often..............It might make them more human. I can just picture the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee hanging out at the Cheetah club in Las Vegas..........I think the Repubs would have more dollars to spend on lap dances.........wooohoo!!

[Snapdad]

Shocking. Thought they were the moral majority. ;)

[Jobu]

Only $1,946 ???

I'm offended as an American.

[Atlantic Friend]

Only $1,946 ???

I'm offended as an American.

Cheapskates. Not even meeting the $2,000 limit.I'm sure the club girls are aghast and will vote Democrat now.

[Arsenal]

That is pretty cheap for a job saved/created.

[California Joe]

Michael Steele: Big Pimpin'.

[Yeti2424]

That is pretty cheap for a job saved/created.

Supporting single mothers....

[Proudgrandson]

Supporting single mothers....

And helping out with college money

[Noons86]

Contrary to popular believe a lot of politically active Republicans are not social conservatives.


Isn't it typically the social conservatives who get caught doing this stuff?

[SoSo]

Isn't it typically the social conservatives who get caught doing this stuff?

Tell me about it! I wish we could catch them all doing it, so we could boot them out of the GOP and take our party back! Especially Mark Souder, that bunghole.

[0rphie]

This is not taxpayers' money after all.

[IconOfEvi]

Best money ever spent by the Pubs

If only this is what taxpayer waste came down to. I would wholeheartedly support it.

[Kit]

Best money ever spent by the Pubs

If only this is what taxpayer waste came down to. I would wholeheartedly support it.

x2 consider it an informal refund.

[IconOfEvi]

Also Im amused at how the news mentioned bondage-theme club like its a bad thing. Its like a big taboo - said, but nothing beyond that.

My only request next time would be for them to spend more on the girls. Single mothers and college girls need the money, for sure.