Politics & Government

Romney Fundraising Event at Meydenbauer Attracts Street Theater

Protestors gathered outside a fundraising event for Mitt Romney, vying to be the Republican nominee for president, Thursday night.

There was a bit of street theater outside a private fundraising event Thursday night for Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, who is in the .

Protestors rolled out a human "red carpet" that was walked on by a man in a top hat throwing money around and a woman in a tiara complaining about about lazy people, as Romney supporters gathered inside the Meydenbauer Center, where the campaign hosted the event.

Romney is likely to get a warmer reception

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The group of about 70 demonstrators, organized by Working Washington, a political group that advocates for progressive causes, marched from Bellevue City Hall, passed by Paccar and then back to Meydenbauer Center.

Working Washington organizer Sage Wilson said that the demonstration was in protest of financial influence in politics in general and not necessarily of Romney, though Wilson said that Romney is an example of the influence of money in politics.

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Some of the signs and symbols were the same as the ones at at the Westin Bellevue last month.

"This will be some of the richest people in the area, coming to one of the richest ZIP codes in the nation, and one of the richest candidates in history," Wilson said.

Romney had plenty of digs aimed at him in the political signs, though, with people waving "RMoney" signs that parody his campaign logo.

Tamara Crane of Woodinville, who held one of the parody signs, and later lay beneath the red carpet, said the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and for corporations have not benefited most of the population.

"What about health care, basic health, roads and education? Where is that in their plans?" Crane said. "The only thing that's trickled down is debt."

Several of the GOP nomination hopefuls are in the state to campaign for Washington's caucus. Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, who visited the state last month, also plan on rallies in Washington state this week. Santorum had plans on rallies in Eastern Washington, according to KING5. Paul has plans to be in Spokane and Ridgefield, Wash. (in Clark County) on Friday, according to Paul's calendar.


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