By Roll Call reporter Erin P. Billings:
Putting their friendship above party, Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye
(Hawaii) will headline a fundraiser today for one of the Democrats' top
targets this cycle, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens (Alaska).
Inouye, who chairs the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee,
on which Stevens is the ranking member, is the "special guest" at the
noon event at 101 Constitution Ave. NW. According to the invitation, the
lunch is organized by a several high-profile lobbyists, including
Stevens' former top aide, Lisa Sutherland. The fundraiser seeks $1,000
in contributions from individuals and $5,000 from political action
committees to aid Stevens' bid for an eighth term this fall.
Inouye and Stevens have long been allies and senior appropriators, and
have reputations for putting their personal and working relationships
ahead of party politics. In the 2004 cycle, Stevens similarly helped
Inouye raise thousands of dollars for his re-election, which was not
seriously contested.
But this cycle is different since Stevens is under federal investigation
as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe in Alaska. Additionally,
Senate Democrats have set their sights on picking up as many as nine
seats this fall - including Stevens' - in the hope of holding 60 seats,
the number needed to overcome filibusters.
Anchorage Democratic Mayor Mark Begich recently announced his campaign
to unseat Stevens, the longest-serving GOP Senator. Democrats heavily
recruited Begich to enter the race, which is expected to be costly and
competitive.
Calls to Inouye's D.C. office and Stevens' campaign headquarters in
Alaska were not immediately returned Wednesday morning. A spokesman for
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) declined to comment.
Wednesday's fundraising event is the latest example of politics blurring
party lines in the Senate. Last cycle, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
endorsed then-Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) in his
re-election bid, and this cycle Lieberman has returned the favor in
backing his Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
colleague. Lieberman, now an Independent Democrat, chairs that panel.
Collins is the ranking member.
Lieberman also has endorsed Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) for
president, and has been barnstorming the country on behalf of his fellow
Senator.
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