RNC fundraiser featuring Breitbart postponed

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A weekend-long Beverly Hills fundraiser for major Republican donors has been postponed as the event’s headliner, controversial blogger Andrew Breitbart, is engulfed in controversy.

The event, which was scheduled to take place Aug. 12 to Aug. 14 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, cost up to $60,800 a couple and featured a reception with Breitbart and RNC Chairman Michael Steele, lunch with Steve Forbes and other gatherings.

Breitbart has become a source of controversy recently for posting a clip of a speech by then-Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod that appeared to show Sherrod, who is African American, bragging about discriminating against a white farmer. After the Obama administration forced Sherrod to resign, the full clip of her speech emerged. It showed that she helped the farmer and was actually telling a cautionary tale against racism.

A source at the RNC said the fundraiser was postponed until after Labor Day for logistical reasons but also said he did not know if Breitbart would be invited once it’s rescheduled.

Republican candidates from across the Western states had been invited to the fundraiser. California gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman had declined and Senate candidate Carly Fiorina was not planning to attend; but others, including lieutenant governor candidate Abel Maldonado and secretary of State nominee Damon Dunn, had been confirmed as guests.

-- Seema Mehta in Los Angeles