Democrats' Inaugural Ball Waltzes Past Fundraiser Law

"All contributions for the inaugural celebration will be received by January seventh, which complies fully with Virginia law," Leopold said. "This date falls more than a week before the legislative session begins. This event is about much more than Virginia politics. We are glad to give more than 1,400 Virginia Democrats an opportunity to gather together to celebrate the victory of a new president who has given a renewed sense of hope and purpose around the country and world."

The Democrats also note that the money being raised by the event will be deposited into the Virginia and Arlington parties' federal accounts. Those accounts can be used to influence only federal races and are not covered by the Virginia law.

But last year, Kaine said he would voluntarily stop raising money for Barack Obama's federal campaign account during the legislative session. Kaine said at the time that he would be within the law to keep raising federal funds during the session but thought it sent the wrong signal.

So what's changed?

Kaine's political staff stressed that the governor won't be raising money during the session because all contributions will be collected this week. Charlie Kelly, Kaine's political director, said in a statement, "The governor looks forward to attending the Democratic Party of Virginia's Inaugural Ball, an event that complies with Virginia law."

Democratic officials also point out that there is traditionally a flurry of fundraising in the days before the legislative session starts, as lawmakers try to collect cash legally. House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) will host a big Richmond fundraiser the night before the session begins. It will probably attract nearly all GOP House members.

House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) is calling on Kaine to cancel the in-session event, saying the law was designed to prevent lawmakers from schmoozing with donors the night before a vote on legislation that affects the donor.

Now, he and other GOP officials say, the Democrats are setting a precedent in which it's acceptable for governors and legislators to sell tickets to events as long as the money is collected before or after the session and is used on federal campaigns.

One GOP strategist suggested that Republican legislators could begin scheduling a fundraiser for late February, featuring all of the House budget conferees. The money wouldn't be collected until after the session concludes, but donors who pledge would have access to the conferees as they begin hammering out the final details of the budget.

"The governor's office clearly dropped the ball with this," Griffith said.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William), chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, has suggested that lawmakers consider scrapping the in-session fundraising prohibition if Democrats persist in attending events when the General Assembly is in Richmond.

And Virginia would grow even wilder when it comes to its politicians and their campaign cash.