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10:20am UPDATE: Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to be in Albuquerque for a campaign event with local supporters at 3:30 p.m. local time today, followed by another campaign event at 5:30 p.m., according to the vice president’s published schedule on The White House website.
The events are not open to the general public.
Broadcast reports have said Biden will fly on to California tonight.
WASHINGTON — Presidential campaigns aren’t cheap.
Just ask New Mexico Democrats, some of whom will shell out $10,000 per person for a dinner with Vice President Joe Biden in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque tonight.
The dinner, at Los Poblanos Inn, includes a photo reception with the vice president. According to information about the event on President Barack Obama’s campaign website, the first $5,000 of the contribution goes to the president’s re-election campaign, with the first $2,500 designated for the primary election and the next $2,500 for the general election. A portion of the money will also be donated to the Democratic National Committee.
The invitation makes clear that the donation is not tax-deductible. But at least attendees will receive a farm-fresh dinner in beautiful surroundings, in addition to getting a photo and meet-and-greet with the nation’s second-in-command.
Democrats with lighter wallets who still want to contribute to the party’s cause have other options.
Rep. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jeff Bingaman, will host a fundraiser on March 2 with guest of honor former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, son of the late, legendary Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.
This event is at the Rio Chama Steakhouse in Santa Fe. Suggested contributions are $100 for supporters, $50 for friends and $25 for guests, according to the invitation.
“TRUTH TEAM”: The Obama campaign this week unveiled a program aimed at keeping the eventual Republican presidential candidate honest in this year’s presidential election.
The Obama Truth Team hopes to recruit 2 million grass-roots supporters who will communicate the president’s record and fight back against attacks before the Democratic National Convention in September.
Members of the New Mexico Truth Team include Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzalez, former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Santa Fe Mayor David Coss.
“We felt it was important to put together a truth team to promote the president’s achievements in response to attacks on his record, and also to hold the eventual Republican nominee accountable between now and Election Day,” said Mahen Gunaratna, Obama campaign spokesman in New Mexico.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal
