Romney arrives Saturday for big ticket fundraiser

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Mitt Romney will travel to Martha's Vineyard Saturday to raise some clams. — Photo courtesy of UPenn.edu

Former Governor Mitt Romney will take a page out of President Barack Obama’s fundraising playbook and travel to Martha’s Vineyard Saturday to raise some clams at a big ticket clambake luncheon at the Oak Bluffs home of Kate and James Sims, founder of GEN3 Partners.

Romney supporters who contribute or raise $2,500 will be able to attend a general reception. A contribution of $10,000 (or bundle of $25,000) provides entry to a photo reception. VIP face time will cost $50,000.

But for the calculus of election year vacation politics, which counts the stigma of eating ice cream on the island as a negative influence in the polls, Mr. Romney might have crossed paths with the man he hopes to unseat. Until this year, Mr. Obama vacationed regularly in August on Martha’s Vineyard, fertile ground for campaign dollars.

Before winning the presidency, then Senator Obama attended a fundraiser at the Oak Bluffs home Sheridan Broadcasting founders Ron and Judy Davenport of Pittsburgh and Oak Bluffs. The event raised an estimated $372,000 from supporters.

On August 18, 2011, supporters held a $100-a-head event at Union Chapel, followed by a $500- to $1,000-a-head dinner at a private home in Oak Bluffs.

Mr. Obama’s absence has not stopped the fundraising. On Wednesday, members of the cast of the highly acclaimed HBO hit series “The Wire” lent their star power to a reception at the Davenports’ home.