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Despite financial crisis, Bush's local fundraiser still slated for this week
"We will still have it as far as I know," he said while awaiting a flight to the Basin, where he will review a $4.9 million UTPB students' cost reduction grant just received at t
by Bob Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
n Plans still on for president to land at noon in Air Force One for private reception and barbecue at Rep. Conaway's home
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Congressional gridlock about a national financial crisis probably will not interfere with President Bush's Thursday fundraiser at the northwest Midland home of U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway and his wife Suzanne.
Backyard barbecue tickets have been sold, contributions have been made for targeted U.S. House of Representatives' races around the country and numerous Permian Basin citizens want to see the 62-year-old president in his hometown for the first time in seven years and eight months, Conaway said Monday.
Bush's last visit was on Jan. 17, 2001, when he and his wife Laura stopped on their way to his first inauguration and he addressed thousands of people in Centennial Plaza.
Although the House had left the Wall Street conundrum unsolved by rejecting a $700 billion "bailout" by 228 votes to 205 Monday, Conaway said he and his colleagues will not return to Washington until after the fundraiser to consider an alternative.
"We will still have it as far as I know," he said while awaiting a flight to the Basin, where he will review a $4.9 million UTPB students' cost reduction grant just received at the Odessa campus at 11:15 a.m. today.
"The Senate comes in Wednesday, but we're not scheduled to come back 'til Thursday night or Friday," said Conaway. "I would hate to see the fundraiser canceled because a lot of hard work has gone into it and a lot of money has been raised.
"The president makes those decisions for himself and we're hoping he will come. I imagine we will know something tomorrow."
White House spokesman Blair Jones said Bush's schedule for the week had not been published, but a Conaway spokeswoman said with press credentialing and other preparations remaining, a formal announcement may well be made today.
Barbecue tickets are $250 and may be reserved with organizer Mary Westfall of Dallas at (214) 969-0090 or mwestfall@malakoffpartners.com.
National Republican Congressional Committee backers giving $10,000 to $57,000 will meet Bush and have their photos made with him when Air Force One lands at Midland International Airport and he attends a reception in the Conaways' 4100 Cardinal Lane home.
With Conaway as his chief financial officer, the president operated two oil companies here from January 1982 to December 1986 before becoming managing partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Conaway's spokeswoman said Congress' bailout action "was surprising because it's rare that (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi would bring something this important to the floor without making sure it had the votes to pass.
"Ninety-four Democrats voted 'no' because it's hard to vote for something when the people you represent don't want you to. Rosh Hashanah starts tonight, but they could come back with a compromise. It will probably have a lot to do with what the stock market does this week.
"We had a lot of calls from the 11th District but not as many as some offices did. People are against a bailout because they feel like that's a lot of money to be dealing with so quickly."
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Congressional gridlock about a national financial crisis probably will not interfere with President Bush's Thursday fundraiser at the northwest Midland home of U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway and his wife Suzanne.
Backyard barbecue tickets have been sold, contributions have been made for targeted U.S. House of Representatives' races around the country and numerous Permian Basin citizens want to see the 62-year-old president in his hometown for the first time in seven years and eight months, Conaway said Monday.
Bush's last visit was on Jan. 17, 2001, when he and his wife Laura stopped on their way to his first inauguration and he addressed thousands of people in Centennial Plaza.
Although the House had left the Wall Street conundrum unsolved by rejecting a $700 billion "bailout" by 228 votes to 205 Monday, Conaway said he and his colleagues will not return to Washington until after the fundraiser to consider an alternative.
"We will still have it as far as I know," he said while awaiting a flight to the Basin, where he will review a $4.9 million UTPB students' cost reduction grant just received at the Odessa campus at 11:15 a.m. today.
"The Senate comes in Wednesday, but we're not scheduled to come back 'til Thursday night or Friday," said Conaway. "I would hate to see the fundraiser canceled because a lot of hard work has gone into it and a lot of money has been raised.
"The president makes those decisions for himself and we're hoping he will come. I imagine we will know something tomorrow."
White House spokesman Blair Jones said Bush's schedule for the week had not been published, but a Conaway spokeswoman said with press credentialing and other preparations remaining, a formal announcement may well be made today.
Barbecue tickets are $250 and may be reserved with organizer Mary Westfall of Dallas at (214) 969-0090 or mwestfall@malakoffpartners.com.
National Republican Congressional Committee backers giving $10,000 to $57,000 will meet Bush and have their photos made with him when Air Force One lands at Midland International Airport and he attends a reception in the Conaways' 4100 Cardinal Lane home.
With Conaway as his chief financial officer, the president operated two oil companies here from January 1982 to December 1986 before becoming managing partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Conaway's spokeswoman said Congress' bailout action "was surprising because it's rare that (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi would bring something this important to the floor without making sure it had the votes to pass.
"Ninety-four Democrats voted 'no' because it's hard to vote for something when the people you represent don't want you to. Rosh Hashanah starts tonight, but they could come back with a compromise. It will probably have a lot to do with what the stock market does this week.
"We had a lot of calls from the 11th District but not as many as some offices did. People are against a bailout because they feel like that's a lot of money to be dealing with so quickly."
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RP wrote on Sep 30, 2008 10:57 AM: