[WASHINGTONTIMES] Got $50,000? Then you, too, can attend a "private evening reception" with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who wasted little time after Virginia's General Assembly session gaveled to a close to launch a political action committee that offers such meetings with the governor in exchange for high-end donations.Such arrangements are commonplace, and the practice of Virginia governors creating their own fundraising PACs dates back 20 years. But the move was made after a legislative session in which reducing the influence of money in politics was one of the top priorities for a governor who drew up plans to rent out the Lincoln Bedroom during the Clinton administration.
"It's not uncommon to have that kind of arrangement," said Brad Smith, chairman of the Federal Election Commission during the George W. Bush administration. "Virginia is certainly unusual because there are no campaign finance limits. ... A lot of people are going to feel a little uncomfortable with that."
Mr. McAuliffe's Common Good VA PAC aims "to support like-minded candidates who are dedicated to bringing progressive values to their communities, as well as issues that are in line with our top priorities," according to an e-mail announcing the PAC on Monday.