No fewer than nine Fox News talking heads are actively fundraising for Republicans with speeches and other appearances. It’s good money for themselves and the candidates – a win/win for the GOP and its news network!
Media Matters did the research and the numbers crunching. They found that John Bolton, Deneen Borelli, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Oliver North, Sarah Palin, Karl Rove, Andrea Tantaros and Allen West have all made themselves available for the Republican cause.
Media Matters’ report states that the fundraisers can bring in big bucks for local Republicans. For example, the Harris County Texas GOP grossed over $100,000 in 2011 when Mike Huckabee spoke, and the Palm Beach GOP takes in $100,000 a year from Lincoln Day events (where Ben Carson and Laura Ingraham have spoken). Tickets sell in the hundreds of dollars, and can go even higher with private receptions, pictures, book signings, and selling sponsorships.
Meanwhile, the speakers also make some pretty good money. Tucker Carlson got $23,500 in 2011 to keynote the Lane County Oregon Republican dinner, and John Bolton got $28,330. At the Palm Beach dinner in 2013, Laura Ingraham was paid $12,500.
What other news network has this many personalities fundraising and giving keynote speeches at partisan dinners?