GOP presidential candidate John McCain's visit to the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis for a fundraiser this afternoon promises to be a moneyed affair: To qualify to be on the host committee, McCain's web site says, "individuals or couples must raise or contribute $20,000." For the less fortunate, "tickets for the Photo Opportunity & Dinner are $2,300 per person. Tickets for the Main Reception and Dinner are $1,000 per person."
 
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The event at the Hilton is scheduled for  4:15 p.m.; McCain is holding a "2008 Presidential Town Hall Meeting" at 7 p.m. at the Landmark Center in St. Paul.
 
McCain's visit, not surprisingly, is also sure to draw some protesters. Here's one email circulating today:

Anti-War Movement Says No to War and McCain 2 1/2 months Before the RNC

Anti-war protesters will protest outside of the Minneapolis Hilton (1001 Marquette Avenue) on Thursday, June 19th at 4:30 pm to say no to John McCain's promise of 100 more years of war and occupation on Iraq.  The demonstration is organized by the Anti-War Committee. 

Anh Pham, Anti-War Committee member, explained, "John McCain represents a continuation of the Bush administrations' policies of war and misery in the Middle East and at home.  We are calling for this protest to show McCain that he is not welcome in Minnesota – not now and not in September."

Meredith Aby, also with the Anti-War Committee, continued, "We hope that Minnesotans will take this opportunity to see the importance of challenging John McCain's pro-war message and that this demonstration will help build for the massive anti-war march on September 1 at the Xcel Center."