Posted on Sun, Oct. 18, 2009

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Author's political fundraising speech is relocated

BY BRENT D. WISTROM

The Wichita Eagle

A planned speech by author and Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin has been relocated.

The $50-per-person event Nov. 5 is a political fundraiser for Republican secretary of state candidate Kris Kobach.

It was going to be at Wichita State University, but state facilities can't be used for political fundraising.

University officials didn't realize it was a fundraiser until the state Board of Regents and state Governmental Ethics Commission questioned the event after getting complaints, said Ted Ayres, vice president and general counsel for WSU.

There was also miscommunication between the Kobach campaign and WSU College Republicans, who reserved the CAC Theater in the Rhatigan Student Center for the speech.

Brandon Rudkin, a member and former chairman of the WSU College Republicans, said the Kobach campaign didn't say it was a fundraiser.

"We're a little upset with the campaign right now," he said. "We wish they would have been more up front with us."

Kobach said someone on his campaign talked to the student group and presumably told them it was a fundraiser, but he said it's tough to be certain.

"I think there was just a misunderstanding somewhere along the line," he said.

Kobach said the speech is Malkin's first in Kansas.

It will now be at 6 p.m. at the Terradyne Country Club, 1400 Terradyne Drive in Andover. The price remains the same.

Kobach praised Malkin's work and her most recent book.

"In it, she talks a lot about ACORN and the types of corruption that are now coming to light in the broader media," he said. "She was ahead of the curve."

Ayres said the university had no idea the speech was a fundraiser until state agencies contacted them and they reviewed Kobach's Web site, which lists an entry price.

"We were caught unaware," he said. "But as always we're trying to do the right thing."

Reach Brent D. Wistrom at 316-268-6228 or bwistrom@wichitaeagle.com.

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