FGCU students work their way into private Bush fund-raiser

Not if you're young, ambitious and Republican, at least, like two Florida Gulf Coast University students. Political science major Anthony Thomas Jr. and communications major Matt Graham took it upon themselves to wangle a way into Republican national fund-raising chairman Al Hoffman's Gulf Harbor home, where the president will be a visitor.

"I know the situation when you're a young college student and probably broke. I admire (their) gumption for seeking me out and asking," said Hoffman, owner of WCI Communities, the biggest developer of planned communities in Florida.

Such ambition should be encouraged, Hoffman said. "They're opening their own doors and creating their opportunities," he said.

The two will be among the couple dozen volunteers who will mix with Secret Service and campaign workers to staff the event.

"I e-mailed Mr. Hoffman and he surprised me by responding very quickly," said Thomas, 20. "He knew I was a Republican and I was active."

In fact Thomas ran for City Council in Fort Myers earlier this year. He was the first African-American candidate to run in Ward 4, which is nearly 90 percent white, and received less than 5 percent of the vote. He says he'll be on the ballot again in the near future, likely before he graduates in 2006 and in his home area of Dunbar, where the constituency is largely black. Thomas is the only Republican in his family, he says, though his parents and sisters have encouraged his political bent.

"They think I'm sick and they don't like President Bush very much," he said.

Graham, 21, has no such family issues, but has never run for office. At least not off campus. He spent two years as a senator in FGCU's student government and remains active. He'll graduate next fall.

"I'm a big supporter of the Bushes," said Graham, who's from Altamonte Springs but lives on campus. "I've been a big supporter since the Bushes have been in office."

Not as big as Hoffman, certainly. Hoffman's a fund-raising heavyweight in state and national races, one who helped the campaign raise more than $800,000 in a similar event when Bush first announced his run four years ago.

"I think we'll have a big crowd," Hoffman said of this week's event. "I have every expectation it will be a very successful event."