Local attorney holding fundraiser for Hillary Clinton

LEE COUNTY— A powerful politician is headed to Southwest Florida sometime this winter. Area democrats are planning a fundraiser for U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Why is Clinton raising money in an area dominated by republicans?

"When I first moved down here from New Jersey I was afraid to put a bumper sticker on my car because I didn't want anybody to know," said Democrat Kathleen Cifelli.

Sometimes it isn't easy being a democrat in Southwest Florida. As of last November about 145,000 registered republicans lived in Lee County compared to about 90,000 registered democrats.

It may seem like an odd place to host a fundraiser for Clinton.

But that doesn't seem to bother the senator. She wants to hold an event in Southwest Florida this winter to raise funds for her re-election to the Senate.

Attorney Bruce Strayhorn will host the fundraiser.

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=5351&z=3&p=

Bruce Strayhorn is a dear old friend of my mothers, I am invited to attend a private dinner with the Strayhorns & Clinton, it's the best Christmas present I could have gotten. :)

looks like 2 democrats for every 3 Republicans. My math is horrible but I think I'm close to being correct and I don't think those numbers are RED but rather on the pinkish side of purple. Or maybe I am just hopeful.

I know that Warner has been in SC and NC fundraising. Is this usual or is this vying for Dem nominee? I haven't been following politics that closely for long enough to know.

S.W. Florida is about as red as you can get. Democrats are an endangered species in this area.

It's just that I know when states are regions are lumped together as so and so won and especially in the south people tend to think big bold RED. But (as I live in SC) if you look closer at a map or even the totals themselves a 45/55 victory is not a mandate or a solidly RED state.

the Clinton bashers among us (is someone keeping a list?); or 2), is there a suggestion here that Republicans are supporting Hillary's fundraising in the hope that she ends up the Democratic presidential nominee in 2008?

Either way, I get strange vibes from this post. I also think it's a bit invasive to publish the name of the local lawyer who's hosting the fundraising dinner. Am I being overly-suspicious?

2. Is she not to come just because it's a Republican stronghold? That would eliminate alot of states wouldn't it? 3. The lawyer's name is listed in the article (not all people are ashamed of or afraid of being known as a Democrat).

The reason for her visit to S.W. Florida is clearly stated in the article.

The main reason to post this Article is because of the honor I feel in getting to meet Hillary again. (the first time is when she was the first lady).

My biggest gripe about Hil is my gut feeling that she's unelectable as President.

I have been critical sometimes myself (but bashing? No). All in all I think she is a great lady.

And yes sometimes I do feel besieged here. But I keep going anyway.