Aug 31, 2008 5:03pm

Served, With a Twist

4:02 pm CT: There will be, essentially, no Republican National Convention Monday — but one of the week’s most anticipated parties will go on, with a twist.

Per ABC’s Ann Compton, the Distilled Spirits Council, which has distributed one of the hottest tickets in the Twin Cities this week, announced Sunday that the party will go on, under a slightly different name.

"Due to the growing threat to our nation from Hurricane Gustav, the sponsors of the Spirits of Minneapolis event on Monday night have made a collective decision to change the event into the Spirits of the Gulf Coast, shifting the focus to a fundraiser for . . . the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund," organizers said in an e-mail to invitees.

"To that end, we will have a senior Red Cross representative in attendance and we will encourage everyone to make a donation to the Fund at the door. In addition, the event sponsors will make a large matching contribution and present a check at 10:30 PM."

GOP leaders have sent out the word to keep things relatively quiet this week; the image of lawmakers mingling with lobbyists over martinis while an American city floods is something everyone in St. Paul wants to avoid.

As for the Democrats, the DNC canceled the media welcoming party that was scheduled for Sunday afternoon in St. Paul.

UPDATE: The Washington lobbying firm Kearsarge Global Advisors is keeping its Sunday night party at the new W Hotel in Minneapolis on the agenda. This, according to an e-mail sent to invitees: "Also, we are donating the same amount of money spent on the reception to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."

User Comments

ABC, you’re a joke.

Posted by: Ryan | August 31, 2008, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

They didn’t give a hoot on the first one so now it is all over board to make things look good……Fake….Honest it makes the people reading this sickkkkkkkk This vee p like she is capable to run this country,NOT—– now they are saying on the job training.Gads heard this before and it was a no go for Obama two faced lying republicans Votes first and country last….

Posted by: indp voter | August 31, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

I believe that was very thoughtful to have a fundraiser for the American Red Cross in this disaster that is approaching. McCain is a good man and for the country, not thinking of himself first. He is a true American. Obama was never a true American for over 25 years. McCain and Palin made the trip anyway to check on conditions there and suspended some of the events. The inside of the republication convention hall is beautiful and I guarantee if not for the storm McCain would have had well over 25,000 people attending plus several thousand more outside because of Palin. She is going to be a big hit. Wait until the campaigning starts and women get to know her. McCain has a chance to win this election. I would like to see a debate between Palin and Obama. Of course we all know that Obama stammers before answering the question. I guarantee he would fail.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | August 31, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

INDPVT: Why vote since your not satisfied with the candidates. Obama couldn’t run a cleaning plant less the country. There is a difference between the two VP’s and we will find that out soon. I am well aware of the fact that Palin would not let Obama or Biden push her. She is a fighter to the end and they would get a taste of it. Obama spent very little time in he senate because he was dreaming about becoming the president. That may not happen.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | August 31, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

While I am certain John McCain hates the reason the Bush/Chenney speaches are being canceled, I am also certain he is not at all unhappy.

Posted by: DMR | August 31, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

I understand that Obama used JFK’s speech when accepting the nomination. I thought he was the highly educated graduate student from Harvard. Can’t originate his own speech? I would like to see his grades. I also don’t believe his birth certificate is original. If he was born in Hawaii, what is the name of the hospital. That never was told to prove he was born in Hawaii instead of Kenya like was told on the internet. And the reason Obama wanted a football stadium is because he knew that MLK dres thousands of crowds when he was speaking and Obama wanted to walk in his shoes. Well, MLK was ten times more educated than Obama ever will be and was never a racist, white hater or anti-ameican. His death was tragic like the deaths of JFK and RFK. These three men made history for America and they will always be remembered forever.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | August 31, 2008, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

I find that McCain doesn’t always agree with Bush, maybe the war but many senators voted for it. He’s not the only one and neither was Hillary that Obama kept pointing the finger at her. Obama said he was against the war but was absent when the voting started. He spent more time out of the senate than in it. Obama didn’t really want to be a senator, that was an excuse to run for president. He had planned that before he became a senator. That’s why he sabotaged the women running against him for the senate and he was part the plan by Nancy, Dean and Reid to get the voters to vote for him instead of Hillary. He is as underhanded as they come and crooked.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | August 31, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

If Katrina had happened in an election year, 1500 people might still be alive today. The Republicans are a disgrace.

Posted by: Goon | August 31, 2008, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm

“Also, we are donating the same amount of money spent on the reception to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.” – yeah right…how ridiculous…”dear republican…because we’re making a donation to the potential disaster, it will still be ok to have a drink on us…also this party only costs $500″

Posted by: Typical Washington | August 31, 2008, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm

See: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/us/politics/02vetting.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&8au&emc=au
Now, the truth is starting to come out about the reckless, cavalier, and dangerous decision made by McSame to place Sarah (knock ‘em up) Palin on the ticket. If this is the type of decision making to be expected of McSame in the White House, then he is a very dangerous man indeed to even be considered for the presidency. Hopefully, the American people (this doesn’t include mentally deranged social conservatives) will wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late. Obama/Biden 08!!!

Posted by: caliguy55 | September 2, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

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