Bush Pioneer and Rudy-Backer Says Swank Parties are On Hold

Former Bush pioneer and Republican fund-raiser Barron Thomas says that the usually luxurious parties at the Republican National Convention “are severely on hold” as attention seems to be turning towards fund-raising for potential victims of Hurricane Gustav.

“I think the idea is to send a lot of that money down to New Orleans,” said Thomas, who is set to arrive later in the week.

On the positive side, Thomas, an Arizona fund-raiser who has been critical of John McCain in the past and was a strong supporter of Rudy Giuliani, said that his phone has not stopped ringing since the announcement of Sarah Palin as McCain’s choice for Vice President.

“I’m getting a lot of smaller checks, a lot of checks from women and working people,” said Thomas, who argued that Palin resonated with working people and women alike. “Much more today women control the finances of the household.”