Some of that California money

Doug Manchester, who intends to build a long-delayed hotel in Austin, is putting on a glitzy fundraiser for Greg Abbott, the Republican who is running for Texas governor against Democrat Wendy Davis.

Manchester and his Siberian bride Geniya are the primary sponsors at Manchester's Grand Del Mar on August 20. Cost: host, $25,000; patron, $10,000; guest, $5000.

Says Wayne Slater of the Dallas News (affiliated with the Dallas Morning News), "While Greg Abbott is criticizing Democratic challenger Wendy Davis for raising money in Hollywood, the Texas attorney general has scheduled his own California fundraiser next month...August 20 at the Grand Del Mar in San Diego."

Slater goes on to mention that Manchester, as owner of the U-T, has been criticized for promoting "conservative causes and development projects…. The New York Times has noted the controversial newspaper publisher seems to be using the paper as a 'brochure for his special interests.'"