Dab away those tears of joy for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and her love-muffin with a lovely check to her PAC

by Ken

Actually, those measly fives and singles going into the hat pictured above won't do it if you want to properly celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of Florida Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and her love-muffin Dexter. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any art that depicts $1000 and $5000 checks dropping into a political hat.

Those are the designated numbers for either a seat or a table at the happy couple's upcoming shindig at Miami's Coconut Grove Ritz Carlton. "Because," as Washington Post "In the Loop" reporter Colby Itkowitz puts it, "nothing says true love like political fundraising."

Besides, at the three-decades-of-marriage mark, does anyone think Ileana and Dexter need, say, a toaster-oven?

In the Loop
To celebrate 30th wedding anniversary, congresswoman asks for PAC money

BY COLBY ITKOWITZ June 25 at 6:00 AM



Considering the U.S. divorce rate, staying married for 30 years is cause for great celebration. Some women would want a nice dinner, a romantic getaway, a sentimental note. Others? Contributions to their political action committee.

Rep. Ilena Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and her husband, Dexter, are throwing a party next month at the Coconut Grove Ritz Carlton in Miami to celebrate three decades of matrimony.

In lieu of gifts, their guests can send $1,000 to the IRL PAC (Ros-Lehtinen’s leadership PAC) or purchase a table for $5,000.

Because nothing says true love like political fundraising.

Of course, politicians often use special occasions — birthdays, holidays — as an excuse to solicit campaign contributions. And sometimes it’s not even their own celebrations. Remember the Obama campaign asking supporters to create gift registries for their wedding, birthday or anniversary to donate to Obama’s reelection?

(h/t Sunlight Foundation)

I know it's hard to keep from being overwhelmed by the emotion of the occasion, but hey, $1000 isn't all that much to mark such a joyous event, is it? Come on, how much were you going to spend for that toaster-oven? And the $5000 table rate is a positive bargain if you have friends (or cronies) who also want to wish Ileana and Dexter well.

Of course it's the thought that counts, and if we know our Ileana -- and dipping into the DWT archives we're inclined to think we do -- this is the very kind of thought she's likely to appreciate. Many happy returns, Ileana and Dexter!

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