WASHINGTON — It was the kind of big-money, political gala that Sen. John McCain's campaign finance bill would relegate to Washington history.
Mega-corporations paid $2,500 for a table — and a guaranteed audience with at least one Republican lawmaker. Vice President Dick Cheney gave a relaxed speech. Comedian Ben Stein provided the laughs.
As senators argue over McCain's bill to eliminate corporate money from politics, the National Republican Congressional Committee held a fund-raiser Wednesday night that was meant to draw in $6 million from big business and interest groups.
Lobbyists at the dinner mingled in a ballroom at the Washington Hilton, ate veal and talked about how the party might soon be over.
"We don't know what is going to happen," said Ben Davis, an independent lobbyist whose clients include the drug company Pfizer Inc. "But we certainly do appreciate the chance to come here and talk with people. It will be missed."
Republican Party officials said they were operating under the existing law. One spokesman said that if McCain's version of campaign finance succeeds, there is no easy alternative for bringing in major donations quickly.
"We follow the laws that are in effect, and this (fund-raiser) is still allowed," said Carl Forti, a spokesman for the committee.
"Hypothetically, I don't know how we would replace this kind of dinner."
The money raised at the dinner will be divided into two accounts, Forti said. The money given by corporations would be used as "soft money" — unlimited, loosely regulated funds that a political party can use for almost any purpose. The money given by political interest groups would be used as "hard money" — which is funneled directly to candidates.
The bill under consideration in the Senate would ban soft money. McCain, R-Ariz., has long criticized fund-raising dinners and argues that soft money contributions amount to political bribes.
Among those corporations represented at the dinner were Bristol-Myers Squibb, Microsoft, Verizon, Philip Morris and Citigroup, a Republican official said.
Some lobbyists at the dinner said they didn't feel they were having a direct influence on legislation but hoped to raise awareness about their issue.
"There are a lot of senior issues that these lawmakers need to hear about and we care enough to talk with them about it," said Flora Green, an elderly woman who often lobbies with General Pharmaceutical Association.
"I wish they would pay more attention and tonight we'll get a chance to ask them about what they intend to do."
All the debate over campaign finance has done little to slow donations, Forti said.
"There is tremendous enthusiasm about the Bush White House and people understand that we have, in effect, a Senate majority," said Forti. "We expect that to continue."