Cheney Fundraiser Scaled Back

While much of the media is painting the Cheney appearance at a fundraiser as a great success, I don't see it that way. Originally the fundraiser was to include a round table discussion with donors who not only gave the maximum personally, but bundled several thousand more in addition. By the visit of Cheney being cut short it is a signal that Cheney is not the draw he was just 3 years ago. Also it could spell trouble for the Inhofe campaign as a far a fundraising. The crowd for this event was remarkably less then the turnout for the 2004 event also held in Tulsa. Given that Oklahoma is one of the few places that Cheney can still effectively raise money, the recent showing may be a sign of the inability of the White House to aide congressional candidates in 2008.

On the protester side of things, it is actually pretty remarkable that protesters were there at all. The low level of publicity of the event seemed it was destined for uneventful day. However ten protesters were cited and one arrested. This doesn't normally happen with a quick Vice Presidential visit, especially in Oklahoma.