BocaBeacon.comThe Boca Beacon is Boca Grande's weekly community newspaper.
Inn the news: Leaked GOP ‘Joker’ report came from Boca Grande
The Republican National Committee was left scrambling for cover Thursday after a political web site published a “confidential” document outlining the GOP’s fundraising strategy designed around “fear” and “socialism.”
The presentation was delivered on February 18 by RNC officials meeting at the Gasparilla Inn & Club.
“Politico,” the web site that broke the story, said the 72-page report “had been left in the hotel” and was provided by a Democrat who found it in a room.
But Boca Grande residents who paid $500 to attend functions held during the three-day event said Thursday getting a copy of the report likely wasn’t much of a trick.
The meeting rooms used by the Republicans featured tables “with all sorts of literature” on them.
“Anyone could have picked up a copy,” said one island resident who asked not to be identified.
Jack Damioli, president and general manager of the Gasparilla Inn & Club, said he hadn’t heard the news about the controversy.
“I’m not aware of it,” he said.
Damioli noted that the Inn was open during the GOP’s three-day event and that “we had other guests here.”
And islanders who attended events at the RNC’s winter retreat said literature was left out on tables in the empty meeting rooms.
The presentation features a page entitled “The Evil Empire,” and features caricatures of President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Obama is depicted as the Joker from Batman, Pelosi as Cruella DeVille and Reid as the cartoon character Scooby Doo.
Republicans who aren’t Boca Grande residents paid $2,500 to attend the event. The controversial presentation was made by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart and RNC Finance Chairman Peter Terpeluk.
It outlines the party’s strategy for luring wealthy donors, including vacations and “access” to politicians in exchange for contributions.
An RNC spokesman, contacted by Politico, sought to distance the party from the document. The spokesman noted that Chairman Michael Steele was not in the room when the presentation was made. Steele did attend the conference, however.
The spokesman called the portrayal of Obama as “unacceptable.”
But as far as the Gasparilla Inn is concerned, it’s not likely anyone from the hotel slipped the web site a copy of the report.
“If it had been found in one of our rooms, it would have been turned into lost and found, Damioli said.
7 Responses for “Inn the news: Leaked GOP ‘Joker’ report came from Boca Grande”
Comments are closed
Why all the fuss…………The likenesses seem perfectly logical and appropriate to me.
Absolutely unacceptable!!! This is only one of many reasons our country is in the shape it is. You may not like what the president is doing but never the less he is our president and deserves our respect. I do not follow politics to be able to have a good hearted discussion but I was raised to respect the person who holds the office of President. It is time for both sides to forget about being on either the red side or the blue and come together for the common good which is this country! It doesn’t matter who thought of the idea… if it can do some good and is in the best interest of this country than don’t shoot it down help get it passed and lets start bringing this country back to what our forefathers hoped it could be. remember why you were elected to or appointed to do, act in the best interest of this country and its citizens. God Bless America
How very naive of you Patrick………..
Respect for the Office of President is one thing…….respect for the person who holds the office is another. The goofball currently occupying the office of POTUS is committed to the destruction and dismantling of this nation and therefore I DESPISE HIM! He has surrounded himself with criminal morons and although public opinion has told him we DO NOT want his “healthcare” agenda..he is determined to shove it down our throats because it opens the door to total control. You idiots who voted for Mr. ODUMBA should be soundly thrashed for your complacency and gullibility.
You don’t seem to understand……….ODUMBA does not want this country to be what our founding fathers envisioned. Get a grip!
Dutch, you’re doing a fine job exemplifying the core problem with politics in this country. You resort to name calling and caps lock without presenting actual facts or demonstrating respect for differing opinions.
The majority of Americans are not opposed to healthcare reform. In fact, it’s actually that most approve reform, but by a small margin. Look at any poll, here’s an example (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/03/popularity-of-health-care-bill.html). It’s just those that scream the loudest in these “tea party” circuses get the most attention in the news and that’s why, to you, it may seem that most people oppose. Those that think everything is fine with healthcare are those that have health insurance of some kind and that don’t really care that millions of people in this country have no ability to pay for healthcare. Unfortunately, often this argument turns into race baiting and discussions of illegal immigration when that’s not at all the point. I have white, American citizen neighbors, family members and friends that due to no fault of their own have no insurance and are scared to death of a major illness. More Americans went without health insurance of any kind in 2009 (http://www.gallup.com/poll/124973/Americans-Went-Uninsured-2009-2008.aspx) and more people started relying on Govt supplied healthcare of some kind in 2009 as well (http://www.gallup.com/poll/125417/Americans-Reliant-Government-Healthcare-2009.aspx). Even those that have coverage are seeing extreme increases in their premiums that indicate just how out of touch the insurers are and how badly mismanaged the healthcare system is currently. An 18% increase from Welmark? Anthem at a 30% increase? Please. At a time when most people saw a reduction in income these increases can break a family. Healthcare reform focuses not only on providing coverage to those that don’t have it, but it addresses problems with the healthcare system in general such as inflated costs. This benefits everyone, not just those receiving assistance from the government.
As far as surrounding himself with criminals? Really? You’re really going to play that card? Have you heard of Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney, Carl Rove, Donald Rumsfeld? Sure, some of those haven’t had any official charges against them…yet. But here, have a list of those that have from Bush’s era: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/002075.php.
You baselessly claim that Obama is dismantling this nation. How is he dismantling it? He’s trying to ensure that average Americans get the same amount of attention and consideration as do those that make more than $250,000 per year. He’s trying to ensure that Americans, regardless of social or economic status, can get health care without having to choose between making the rent or mortgage payments and a trip to the doctor for a kid. He’s trying to ensure that sexual orientation has no place in dictating whether someone is fit for military service. He’s trying to keep credit card companies from bending their customers over. He’s trying to ensure that people get equal pay for equal work. He’s trying to ensure that we abide by the conventions and treaties we agreed to and that we don’t become a nation of war criminals. And, gasp, he’s trying to restore the opinion of America in this world. And you may not think that’s important but I assure you, we want the backing of other countries because a time is going to come when we need it.
Please note, the links I provided are form non-partisan sources. Based simply on polls and public record. Perhaps you need to start finding a source for your information other than FoxNews. Fair and balanced it is not. Not to say any mainstream media really is. That’s why I say seek out the information on your own. Sit back, listen to the points of others whether you agree or not, and try to respect difference of opinion. I gather form your message that’s not likely to happen, but hey…one can hope.
I know that I personally enjoy the diversity this country has to offer. Diversity of nationality, social status, opinion, etc. It’s what makes this country great. And anytime that I can see that dialog in action, that sharing of ideas and opinions, it’s refreshing. Even when it’s with someone that doesn’t seem to have an open mind. Have a good day, I know I will.
Just know, I’ve said my piece. You can reply if you wish but unless you try to be civil about it there’s no need for me to reply further.
Dutch, you just got so schooled, but then again it’s not that hard to refute lies and outright nonsense, it just gets tiring.
destroying our nation, seriously? that’s your beef? why not say he’s eating babies and drowning kittens. it would be about as rational
we know you can repeat the crap you hear on fox, got any ideas of your own based in reality.
it just keeps coming back to the same thing – racism, that crap narrative you spew would never fly if the democratic president was white. you get away with it, the tea baggers do, and the msm goes along.
Patrick, I wish I could add something to what you wrote! You said it all, fine job.
I also agree with Patrick, well stated.
Mike