What's The Real Reason The Whitehouse Doesn't Want Reporters In "Closed" GOP Fundraisers?

The stated reason why the President attends "closed" fundraisers is because they are held at private residences.

Might the real reason be that they don't want us to know who gets to rub shoulders with the President while the rest of us sit on the curb?

Or, might the real reason be that those donating to the GOP don't want it known that they are donating to the GOP?

Have a look:

Q Tony, I know this is something of a sore subject with you, but as you know, the President is at another closed fundraiser as we speak, raising $900,000 at a mansion in Georgetown. Just a couple of questions on this, what happens at these events that the public or media should be left out of? And who decides what's open and what's closed?

MR. SNOW: If they're in private residences, they're closed. If they're in public spaces, they're open.

Q Well, as you know, in the previous administration there were events at closed -- I'm sorry, at residences, and they allowed a pool reporter so that the public would know what the President was saying to his supporters. Is this a matter of keeping this exclusive to people who pay big bucks to hear the President?

MR. SNOW: No, it's just a matter of saying that we think that people in their private residences probably don't -- would like to be able to have these things in a confidential manner. But, look, it's not the only area in which we differ from the previous administration. On the other hand, we are going to have a whole lot of events, and you're going to hear pretty much the same thing that the President says behind closed doors. So trust me, Peter, they're not doing anything any different. And I know it's frustrating. I apologize for your frustration, but that's the policy. That's it.

Q For a President who often talks about transparency on so many issues, why not just not have them at private residences and have them at venues where the public can know what the President is telling his supporters?

MR. SNOW: Well, you know what? You're going to have plenty of opportunities for that -- I mean, a whole lot in the next few weeks, and you'll be able to hear the same thing.

Q Are they -- can you say whether this is the end of the closed press --

MR. SNOW: No, I think there's -- I think we've announced there's one more closed one I think a little later. You know what, I'll try to find out and get an exhaustive list. I'll have to talk to the political office.