All Access Pass for Campaign Contributors?

close

Video

Grapevine: An All Access Pass for Campaign Contributors?

Obama team appeasing big donors?

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

All Access Pass?

A memo obtained by the Huffington Post reportedly shows President Obama's re-election team asked White House staffers to give top donors a sense of access.

One big-time Florida donor was feeling neglected so the campaign finance director in that state wrote the donor -- quote -- "needs and wants an ongoing point of contact inside the White House to periodically give input."

One government watchdog group calls the memo inappropriate.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that weeks before the re-election campaign kicked off, President Obama brought Wall Street executives -- many of them longtime donors -- to the White House for their thoughts on the recovery. Republicans call it -- quote -- "yet another case of do as I say and not as I do from a president who promised to change the culture in Washington."

Denied

An Alabama family who lost their home when a tornado struck in late April, was initially denied a FEMA grant.

The Birmingham News reports after a federal inspector visited what was left of their home, the Stewart family received a letter saying they were rejected because of insufficient damage.

The couple says they laughed when they read that, since their home is now a pile of rubble scattered over a concrete slab.

FEMA officials say any applicants who believe they were incorrectly declared ineligible should appeal.

Not-So-Cheap Date

And finally, talk about a pricey lunch. A charity auction offered the chance to break bread with billionaire investor Warren Buffett, sold for more than $2 million.

A headline on one Internet blog joked the winner -- quote -- "will get numerous investment tips, starting with don't spend $2.3 million to have lunch with anyone."