Pawlenty buys some Alabama goodwill, but who paid for it?
On the same weekend that Sarah Palin was collecting a $100,000 appearance fee from the Tea Party Convention, Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the courier for a $100,000 check to the Alabama Republican Party.
On Friday, Pawlenty gave a 25 minute speech to Republican activists in Montgomery, AL. Before Pawlenty spoke to the group, Alabama GOP Chair Mike Hubbard announced that Pawlenty showed up at the speech bearing.gifts. Hubbard told the audience of about 700 GOP activists that Pawlenty hand-delivered a $100,000 check from an unnamed donor.
"Gov. Pawlenty told him 'Well, I'm going to speak in Alabama and I know Gov. Bob Riley and I've heard with what they're doing in the Republican Party. I think they're going to make a a real difference. They have an opportunity to take the House and Senate for the first time in over 100 years and he urged him to support our efforts because he thought it was a great investment. So when Gov. Pawlenty came through the doors of the hotel today, he brought with him a check for $100,000. It's made to the Alabama Republican Party. So not only is Gov. Pawlenty not charging us, he's bringing money with him. He's our favorite speaker."
Philip Bryan, a spokesman for the Alabama Republican Party said Pawlenty's check came from a donor, but he wouldn't disclose the individual's name. He said the funds were earmarked to help Republicans win the Alabama House and Senate and would comply with disclosure laws. Bryan then referred other questions to Pawlenty's spokesman. Pawlenty's spokesman referred me to the Alabama Republican Party.
It looks like the next filing deadline for campaign finance activity in Alabama is April 12th.
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