Money Trail: What Hurricane? Lobbyists, GOP Party On

More than a hundred people jammed a Minneapolis restaurant where waiters wore pink wigs and guests wrapped themselves with pink boas, on the weekend before the start of the Republican National Convention.

(ABC)
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Many delegates at a party Saturday night for GOP convention CEO Maria Cino said they saw no reason to stop the good time because of events in New Orleans.

"Everyone goes through hard times," said Wisconsin delegate Jeff Larson.

More than a hundred people jammed a Minneapolis restaurant where waiters wore pink wigs and guests danced through the night as they wrapped themselves and their partners with pink boas.

Five pink spotlights were set up outside of the invitation-only party. ABC News reporters were told they could not enter.

Asked about the appropriateness of the gathering, Republican National Committeeman Tony Parker walked away from ABC News cameras, saying, "I don't want to talk with you."

Another Republican guest hid his face from cameras, wrapping a pink boa around his eyes and nose.

The executive director of the National Association of Manufacturers, Jay Timmons, a prominent Washington lobbyist, said, "I don't think it's a legitimate question," when asked if he felt funny attending the gala at a time of crisis in New Orleans.

"I think if the hurricane hits New Orleans there will definitely be a lot of change of plans," Timmons said.

At least 200 parties had been scheduled by corporate executives and lobbyists for the Republican gathering, much as they did last week at the Democratic convention in Denver.

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