by John McCormick
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to hold a roundtable discussion on tort reform and medical malpractice in about 30 minutes at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
But the real roundtable discussion will take place this evening over cigars in Highland Park, where a fundraiser for the Republican frontrunner is expected to net about $100,000 for his presidential bid at the home of seafood import mogul Tom Mazzetta.
“I hope weather holds out, or I’m going to be in trouble,” said Mazzetta, confiding that his wife, Cindy, will not allow cigars to be smoked inside the house.
Mazzetta, who himself is not a regular cigar smoker, said plans call for a smoking tent behind his home.
Giuliani, known as something of a cigar aficionado, is expected to light up with those donors who want to partake following a dinner with about 35 guests.
“For those that are attending the event who enjoy cigars, they will have a chance to go out back and shoot the breeze with the mayor over a cigar,” said Frank Vitello, who lobbies for Mazzetta. “It should be very casual and intimate.”
Mazzetta, president of Mazzetta Co., a privately held Highland Park-based seafood importer and distributor, said he has never before held a presidential fundraising event – or even given to a presidential candidate – before this year.
“He helped our country in some of the worst times,” he said. “He handled things under pressure extremely well.”
At the tort reform event, participants were expected to include the president of the Illinois Hospital Association, the president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of the board of the Illinois State Medical Society. The discussion is to be moderated by Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross, who is Giuliani’s state campaign chairman.
More Top Picks Best Chapati Makers
Giuliani’s campaign said the candidate was not available for a telephone interview.
Earlier today in Minneapolis, Giuliani stressed his electability and said he is the only GOP candidate who can successfully wage a nationwide campaign.