Schwarzenegger plans fund-raising event

[Snellius]

Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger has scheduled his first fund-raiser as governor.
An invitation sent to Sacramento lobbyists shows Schwarzenegger, who as a candidate promised not to take special interest money, is soliciting donations of up to $21,200 for the Dec. 3 event.

The event is scheduled for just two weeks after he is sworn in as California governor.

The invitation was signed by Republican patron Alex Spanos, a Stockton developer who owns the San Diego Chargers football team and is one of Schwarzenegger's largest contributors.

During his campaign Schwarzenegger denounced "the special-interest game" of money coming in and favors going out. But by setting up the fund-raiser so close to his swearing in he is following the path of most newly elected statewide officeholders.

"That is how it is done up here," said Jim Knox, director of California Common Cause. "We're seeing the first order of business for a newly elected official is to hold their first fund-raiser."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/recall/story/7725565p-8665024c.html