Kosmas raising money with Biden too

By now we all know Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) is raising money with Vice President Joe Biden next week. He’s been very proud about the event, and there was a hubbub Thursday about a registered federal lobbyist being included among the hosts.

Now we find out that Biden isn’t the only Orlando-area freshman receiving Biden’s help. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.) will also raise money with the vice president, according to a fundraising invitation obtained by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

In contrast to Grayson, though, Kosmas hasn’t played up the event. Indeed, it seems even the local reporters covering Grayson’s Biden-lobbyist situation didn’t know Kosmas was a part of the festivities. (It was reported by WDBO-TV, but Kosmas wasn’t a part of the other coverage.)

Nothing better could illustrate the difference between the two neighbors; while Grayson is loud and unafraid of his Democratic politics, Kosmas is more cautious and has built a more centrist record. Republicans tasked with taking her down have tried to draw her out a bit more in hopes that she’ll provide some fodder.

Of course, in this case, Kosmas’s approach seems to have borne fruit. While Grayson stumbled by releasing a host committee with a federal lobbyist on it (a no-no when it comes to Obama Administration events), Kosmas gave herself time to avoid such snafus.

Time — as well as many other factors — will tell how each of them will do in 2010, but the contrast is notable and could be teachable for other freshman lawmakers.