Projo Politics Blog

John McCain has no plans to travel to the Ocean State this month. But his mother does.

Roberta McCain, 96, is scheduled to headline a Newport fundraiser Aug. 25, according to an invitation from the McCain camp, with the backing of Governor Carcieri.

"Governor and Mrs. Carcieri invite you to join them for an evening in honor of John McCain with special guests Roberta McCain..." starts the invitation.

Interested in attending? Bring your checkbook.

The evening starts at 5 p.m. with a $10,000-per-person private reception and photo opportunity at the New York Yacht Club on Halidon Avenue in Newport. (The $10,000 price tag includes an 11 a.m. "morning sail" and luncheon the next day.)

For $2,300, attendees can enjoy a private reception and photo opporutunity at 6 p.m. at the Astors' Beechwood Mansion. A main reception follows at 6:30 p.m. at the Bellvue Avenue mansion for just $500 a head.

The GOP presidential hopeful's mother will be joined by other out-of-town guests: Texas First Lady Anita T. Perry and Robert Mosbacher, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the McCain campaign's national chairman.

Individual donations to candidates are capped at $2,300 per election, according to federal law. But individuals may give a combined $10,000 to state parties, and up to $28,500 to national party committees.

The fundraiser notes that its sponsors include the Republican National Committee, the Colorado Republican Party, the Republican Party of Minnesota, the Republican Party of New Mexico, and the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

-- Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau

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