Mitt Romney was back in Reno for the second time in two weeks. This trip however was not about addressing anyone except those willing to pay for the honor. That's right - two separate fundraisers were set for Friday in Reno. Both were private and the price of entry varied from $2,500 to $25,000 per person. That sounds like a lot of money for lunch. And according to political science professor Fred Lokken it's never about the actual lunch.
"It's about access," he says. "These people pay this amount of money and they get to be in the same room as the candidate, or with Obama with the President of the United States. They get to talk to him and they get a photo which is generally their Christmas card or at least it will be displayed prominently in their homes. It's about connections."
Lokken says that for small states like Nevada, those connections can prove valuable. They can mean being able to call and get ahold of cabinet members when problems arise and that is worth it's weight in gold.
As for how much anyone can raise here in Reno - you might be surprised.
"Reno is one of the highest contributor states to political campaigns right now," Lokken says. "Not only here in Washoe County, but remember Incline Village is one of the richest communities in the country. And in Clark County you have millionaires more than willing to be a part of the political game. They want to be involved. After all someone is going to win come November."
And he says Romney's likely to go home happy.
"I think he's after about $700,000 maybe $750,000. He could peak at $1 million here today. And it's a simple process. It's not a public appearance. He has it down. He comes in, he makes contact, he collects the checks and he leaves."
That's just what he did today. And officials say they expect him to be back a number of times in the months to come.
Written by Erin Breen
