$1,000 to press the flesh

We don’t mean to disparage a fine member of the House of

Representatives, but it seems our duty to raise doubts that 300

people paid $1,000 a piece to chat with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.

Earlier this month, the Huntington Beach-based congressman, who

also represents Costa Mesa, held a $1,000-per-person event that ran

90 minutes at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. Following the

fundraiser, Rohrabacher estimated it raised $300,000. Even we can do

that simple math and realize how many people crammed into the hotel.

No, we’re not doubting 300 people showed. We just hope Rohrabacher

realizes it wasn’t all about him. No, no, no. The star of this show

was the man who shared billing with the congressman, a man who’s used

to getting top billing in movie ads: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

We buy 300 people plunking down a thousand to rub elbows with the

governor’s sizable arms.

We also can believe 300 folks would cough up $1,000 to keep former

Rep. Bob Dornan, who’s running against Rohrabacher in the March

primary, from earning another seat in the Capitol Building. But

that’s another matter, entirely.

And probably one good enough for the surfin’ congressman.