Grand Old Police Blotter: Convicted Manslaughterers For Bush Edition

Who says the G.O.P. doesn't believe in rehabilitation?

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON -- President Bush helped the GOP raise at least $38.5 million Wednesday at its annual gala -- all of it in donations limited in size -- and smash a one-night record set when political parties could still rake in large corporate contributions.

The Republican National Committee can spend the money as it chooses, from general party get-out-the-vote efforts to direct support for Bush's re-election campaign and GOP candidates down the ticket.

Bush, the keynote speaker, took the stage and shook the hands of several major RNC fund-raisers, including boxing promoter Don King, who waved two American flags. Bush thanked the crowd for setting a record.

From GOP.com aka rnc.org:

Friday, March 26, 2004
Voice of Boxing Great Don King Now Narrates Kerry vs Kerry


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Iverson
202-863-8614

Washington, DC-The RNC's popular Kerry vs Kerry Web game now has a new feature, the voice of boxing great Don King on http://www.gop.com/kerryvskerry.

Kerry vs Kerry players will now hear Don King's voice when they log on to go a few rounds with Senator Kerry. A transcript of King on Kerry Vs Kerry is featured below.

From wikipedia:

In Cleveland, Ohio in 1954, King shot and killed a man attempting to rob one of his gambling houses; the death was ruled a "justifiable homicide". King served time for killing a man in 1966 who allegedly owed him money, whom he beat to death. Although convicted of second degree murder, the judge reduced the conviction to nonnegligent manslaughter. King has been investigated for possible connections with organized crime. During a 1992 Senate investigation King took the Fifth Amendment when questioned about his connection to mobster John Gotti. He has responded to these acts by calling them racist.

We can see why King is such an effective fundraiser.

I'll just sit here and wait for the furor from the pro-lifers, the law-and-order types and the manufactured-outrage crowd.

(Inspired by an item on Wonkette.)