Green takes the money and runs

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel account of the fundraiser held today with Vice President Dick Cheney for Wisconsin Republicans has a really funny detail in it.

The event was billed as a fund-raiser to help GOP candidates in Wisconsin this fall, including governor candidate U.S. Rep. Mark Green. Cheney, however, made only brief reference to Green during his remarks.

Green addressed the luncheon at the Pfister Hotel separately before Cheney was introduced and did not share the speaker's platform with the vice president.

Speaking with reporters after Cheney had left, Green said not to read anything into that.

Riiiiight. The Vice President of the United States travels across the country to raise money for Congressman Green, the Congressman won't even get on stage to shake his hand, and we are to believe it doesn't mean anything?

Of course it means something. It means Congressman Green doesn't want any pictures of himself and Vice President Dick Cheney in the newspaper. Green will have no problem with the Republican Party using the money that Cheney raised for the election this fall; but he doesn't want to get too close to Cheney in case those approval ratings in the twenties are contagious.

The line up of Republicans coming to raise money for Green this fall reads like a who's who of politicians people love to hate. Former Speaker Newt 'shut the whole place down' Gingrich will complete the trifecta with President Bush and Vice President Cheney of leaders Green wants money from with no photographic evidence.

Perhaps Green should talk to State Senator Tom Reynolds on how to avoid cameras before his next event.