Rove in Omaha: the Aftermath

As Heath mentioned on Friday morning, The Brain was scheduled to give a closed to the public speech on Social Security and then rub elbows with folks who wanted to pay big bucks to have cocktails or dine with Karl.

People paid $500 for cocktails with Rove, $1,500 for cocktails and a photograph with Rove or $2,500 for dinner.

A $1,000 for a photo.  Wow.

Here's what Karl said about social security.

"It's a tough issue, no doubt about it. It's a thorny issue that politicians don't want to deal with," Rove said.

"This is one of the big issues of our times. It's going to be one of the big tests for people who serve in public life - whether they're going to step aside (from) partisan politics and do what's right for the country."

Oh, I forgot about dinner.

About 25 people were expected to dine with Rove on filet mignon and chocolate lava cake, said Jessica Moenning, executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party.

Is the chocolate lava/molten chocolate cake becoming a bit cliche or is it just me?

Interestingly enough, according to the Omaha World-Herald there were no comments on Chuck Hagel, the Supreme Court or PlameGate.

The protestors didn't seem to be too much of a problem for the Omaha and Bellevue cops.

Rove's appearances in Omaha and Bellevue brought out an eclectic group of protesters.

Demonstrating outside the dinner reception were about 40 people, many of whom were with the Nebraska chapter of Americans United to Protect Social Security. The coalition of retirees, students and others is opposed to Bush's Social Security plan, said Patrick Adams, a group spokesman. ... On hand during his earlier appearance were about 20 people from various organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, organized labor and South Dakota supporters of former presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche.

The protesters did not have a permit and were asked by police to disperse, although they later were allowed to stay.

Eric Magnuson, 24, of Omaha, said demonstrators had applied for a permit Thursday but had not received it.

Bellevue City Clerk Kay Dammast said the office tried to process the permit as quickly as possible but did not have it ready by Friday afternoon.

Magnuson said he simply wanted to let people know about his opposition to Bush's Social Security plan and Rove - "the man behind George Bush."

Yeah, I guess the LaRouchies were there, but the nice thing about the story is that Eric Magnuson's quote was the last line.  Yes, we got the last word.  In the World-Herald of all places.

The Rove visit to Omaha didn't generate quite the mess as the Cheney fundraiser in Lincoln last summer after which the city of Lincoln got stuck with a $30,000+ security bill but it is an off-year.

Also, kudos to Heath and Barry Rubin for getting the NDP up and running again.

Nebraska Democrats did not let Rove's appearance go unnoted. In his honor, they embarked on a drive to raise $10,000 to buy "a second helping of truth for Karl and the GOP - four plates' worth."

As of Friday, they had raised $5,000, said Barry Rubin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

That was before Heath raised a nice bit of cash here.  Thanks to all the Kossacks who gave to the little Red State that could.

*Also a note to Heath.  I don't think I've met you but I work upstairs from the NDP offices.  Stop up to FLO and say hi.  Ask for Steve.  I'm here to help.