But the activities carry political meanings at the national, state and local levels, showing just how much weight a mundane itinerary can contain when it involves the White House. While the debate about campaign finance reform continues in Washington, both major parties continue to dip into Houston and other big cities for the kind of campaign funds that some reformers want to outlaw. It's a cash collection for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is dedicated to electing its party's candidates to the U.S. House. But the DCCC is a different kind of animal. There are no limits on contributions to the committee, and corporations can give.
Republicans use the same mechanisms.
When they criticize Democratic fund-raising activities, they often point out that the party gets reams of cash from plaintiffs' lawyers. Well, Tuesday's event fits the cliche somewhat. The reception starring the president will take place at the River Oaks home of plaintiff's attorney Richard Mithoff, who has appeared more than once on Forbes magazine's annual list of the top 10 earners among American attorneys. But lawyers aren't the only ones who host fund-raisers for Clinton around here. Restaurant exec Tilman Fertitta's house was the site for the last few.