Romney to raise money with Cheney

Former vice president Dick Cheney, left, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, right.

(CBS News) In one of a series of high-profile Thursday political events, Mitt Romney will head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where former Vice President Dick Cheney will open his home for a fundraiser for the candidate.

Cheney, an influential if controversial figure in the Republican party, has yet to appear with Romney in public. And while the two are not known to be close confidants, the joint event is a signal that Cheney and his allies in the GOP are willing to lend their influence in the interest of getting Romney elected - and that Romney is willing to accept the help.

In 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who had a rocky relationship with Cheney, made an effort to keep his distance from him. But in doing so, he likely missed out on substantial fundraising opportunities. The Thursday event is expected to raise more than $2 million for Romney, according to the Washington Post.

Watch video of Romney's mixed reception at NAACP convention.

Meantime, President Obama is skipping the NAACP's annual national convention in Houston, Texas -- in contrast to Romney, who addressed the NAACP on Wednesday. The Obama administration, however, is not without representation: On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder delivered remarks, and Vice President Joe Biden is slated to speak there today.

In his Wednesday speech, Romney jabbed the president for his absence, noting that "if I am elected president, and you invite me to next year's convention, I would count it as a privilege, and my answer will be yes."

Mr. Obama has not spoken at the NAACP conference since 2009 -- First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the convention in 2010 -- but he will speak at the National Urban League's 2012 conference on July 25. According to the New York Times, the Obama administration cited a scheduling conflict as the reason for the president's absence this year.

During the 2008 election, Mr. Obama and his then-rival, John McCain, both delivered remarks at the NAACP convention. 

Also on Thursday, governors from around the country will gather in Williamsburg, Va., for the annual National Governors Association meeting. Hosted by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, the three-day meeting will consist of a series of festivities, panels and other events. 

"Economic growth and job creation is fundamental to our future and is the most important issue facing governors," said NGA Chair Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, in a statement. "This meeting is an opportunity for leaders from around the country to work across party lines. I have enjoyed serving as chair for this year and look forward to continuing these valuable conversations with my colleagues."

And in Baltimore, Maryland, the Green Party will hold its nominating convention, where Jill Stein will become the party's official nominee for president. Stein, who beat out comedian Roseanne Barr in the nominating process, is from Massachusetts and has launched two unsuccessful bids for governor there, including against Mitt Romney in 2002.

[Yeah_Its_Me]

Cheney had what, a 9% approval rating when he left office? That's the guy Romney wants to be associated with? Obviously, no one wants to let Bush get near them or we'd have seem him paraded around by now. The GOP knows he'll drag down their chosen one. But with Cheney having a lower approval rating than Bush, I'm shocked that he's allowed within a 500 mile radius of Romney.

[Filmguy870]

Next thing you know his VP will be named Dick. Just saying'..........

[stupa5]

One wonders why Romney wants to hang out with Cheney (who should be tried in the Hague for crimes against humanity).

Mit you'd be better off having moose burgers with caribou Carbie!


And just to connected to that weasal is bad enough!

[Yes_ABWH_Fan]

He will need those mittens once Darth cuts his hand off....

[byrdh5n1]

Wrong reference. This is more like Darth Vader and Darth Maul. "Take a step in the dark side, my son....."

[nancy_naive]

He's a sociopathic liar...

Romney said his resignation from Bain in February 1999 means he is not responsible for Bain Capital companies that went bankrupt or laid off workers after that date.

Government documents filed by Mitt Romney state that Romney remained chief executive and chairman until 2002, even creating five new investment partnerships during that time.

Public Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed later by Bain Capital state he remained the firm's "sole stockholder, chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and president."

A Massachusetts financial disclosure form Romney filed in 2003 states that he still owned 100 percent of Bain Capital in 2002.

[jmn122736]

I wonder if Romney (or any reporter) will ask Cheney if he STILL believes that the "DEBT DOESN'T MATTER" as Cheney so blatantly claimed?

The rallying cry of the Republican party for the past three years has been "Obama is drowning our grandchildren with debt", even though probably 90% of the current debt is directly attributable to Republican administrations, including the nearly $9 Trillion in interest, SO FAR.

[fredisalive]

probaby the most shady VP of all time! When he left office he had an approval rating just slightly below ebola! He was at 10% at one time LOL.

[lesserof2evil]

shady is not the word i have in mind, more like a war crminal

[H_Ali_Tosis]

Mitt, just DON'T get shot in the face.....just sayin'

[lesserof2evil]

Also make sure to have a letter of apology nearby.

[whozzzzure]

Wow! That took guts. That is like the "kiss of death" unless folks want to go back to the GW days of a puppet president. I take comfort knowing that the vast majority of Americans who will actually vote already know who they are voting for -- however, Cheney entering the fray just might change a few of the moderate GOP minds, and certainly a bunch of Independents.

Why doesn't this man just "go away" and leave us all alone to recover from eight years of his deceit.

[KPeters_from_UK]

I want Republican supporters to come on a defend Cheney against the accusation that he illegally outing a covert CIA agent because he didn't like her husband. Outrageously, I have read some Tea Party supporters who believe still the myth that Valerie Plume was a CIA secretary; interestingly they are the same people who believe Obama was born in Kenya.