Doug Mataconis · · 5 comments

Matt Lewis reports on what can only be described as some really bad optics on the part of some incoming Republican Freshman:

If incoming GOP freshmen were hoping to bring fiscal responsibility and “family values” to Washington, they may have gotten off to an interesting start with a big party in the works.

Country singer LeAnn Rimes, it seems, is scheduled to perform at what has been billed as a “swearing-in event” for newly elected Republicans at the swanky W hotel in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 4.

According to e-mails and invitations I have obtained, tickets are $2,500 a pop (for $50,000 you can become a “Platinum Sponsor” — but that includes eight tickets, a “VIP lunch” and a “VIP suite” at the W hotel).

(…)

The event is sponsored by America’s New Majority, described on the invitation as: a joint fund-raising committee authorized by and composed of Denham for Congress, Southerland for Congress, Dold for Congress, Stutzman for Congress, Yoder for Congress, Landry for Louisiana, Renee Ellmers for Congress Committee, Jon Runyan for Congress, Inc., Tom Reed for Congress, Marino for Congress, Friends of Scott DesJarlais, David Rivera for Congress and JEFF PAC.