5-4-2004 Bush, Kerry Awash in Money
WASHINGTON ? This year's presidential race ? fueled by more than a million donors, including many who have never given before ? is well on its way to becoming the country's first $1-billion political campaign, experts say.
The money is coming in small donations and large ones, online and in the mail, from wealthy philanthropistsand immigrants who can't even vote.In part, it represents unprecedented interest in the campaign from people throughout the country.
The political parties, particularly the Democrats, were expected to be struggling for cash. The McCain-Feingold legislation approved two years ago banned them from receiving unlimited contributions ? known as soft money ? from unions, corporations and individuals. Yet, the Republican and Democratic national committees together have raised $230 million, more than what they collected at the same time in 2000 when soft money was allowed.
"Bush is a great motivator. I can't stand the guy. He's ruining our country and everything it stands for," said Roy Cloud, 45, a wine importer in Washington, D.C. He made his first political contributions this year ? $250 to Kerry and a smaller amount to the MoveOn.org Voter Fund, an independent anti-Bush group.
"Once you donate money to a campaign, you feel connected to it," Moore said. She's decided that Americans will be much safer with Bush in office and is encouraging her friends to contribute money to him, even if they can afford only a $15 donation.
(Why can they only afford $15? The Bush Economy is supposed be sizzling)
Narayan said he gave money "to make a stand." He supports Bush's positions on family values and taxes. "Everyone thinks the rich people are supporting Bush," he said. "I'm a new immigrant," from India.
(Of course Indians love Bush, look at all the jobs he has endorsed going to Indoa via Indian Companies masquerading as American Companies)
Allyn Stewart, a Los Angeles film producer and longtime Democratic fundraiser, has hosted two such events for Kerry. Both attracted political novices, including women who had never raised money for a political cause, she said, "moms, entertainment executives, lawyers, architects, truly all over the map."
She's surprised by the number of people wanting to donate the maximum to Kerry: "There are a lot of people saying, 'I want to go to the full $2,000.' I've never experienced that before."
Louis Susman, Kerry's national finance chairman, said he has never seen such interest in a presidential campaign: "Every single event I've had, I've been closed down by fire marshals or there's not been enough room."
(Haven't seen this kind of coverage by the News, hmmmm wonder why, because the News is not "Liberal" as the NeoCons say all the time)
In Atlanta, retired real estate executive Jack Cross, 73, a long-time Republican, said he became so distressed about the Bush administration's fiscal and foreign policies in January that he donated $25,000 to the DNC, the maximum allowed by an individual.
Giving "money is the only thing I could do," he said. "My wife was shocked. She said, 'You're what?' "
(Atlanta is supposed to be a Republican stronghold now, hmmmm)
"In my particular case, it motivated me to give more," said pharmaceutical company founder Agnes Varis, who donated $995,000 to the Joint Victory Campaign 2004, the fundraising arm of America Coming Together, before the complaint was filed.
"What can I tell you? I come from Brooklyn," said Varis, 74. "I can't think of any better act of patriotism than giving to ? get the message out to the American people about what is really going on in this country. We have to take it back in 2004. I have a stake in that at my age."
WASHINGTON ? This year's presidential race ? fueled by more than a million donors, including many who have never given before ? is well on its way to becoming the country's first $1-billion political campaign, experts say.
The money is coming in small donations and large ones, online and in the mail, from wealthy philanthropistsand immigrants who can't even vote.In part, it represents unprecedented interest in the campaign from people throughout the country.
The political parties, particularly the Democrats, were expected to be struggling for cash. The McCain-Feingold legislation approved two years ago banned them from receiving unlimited contributions ? known as soft money ? from unions, corporations and individuals. Yet, the Republican and Democratic national committees together have raised $230 million, more than what they collected at the same time in 2000 when soft money was allowed.
"Bush is a great motivator. I can't stand the guy. He's ruining our country and everything it stands for," said Roy Cloud, 45, a wine importer in Washington, D.C. He made his first political contributions this year ? $250 to Kerry and a smaller amount to the MoveOn.org Voter Fund, an independent anti-Bush group.
"Once you donate money to a campaign, you feel connected to it," Moore said. She's decided that Americans will be much safer with Bush in office and is encouraging her friends to contribute money to him, even if they can afford only a $15 donation.
(Why can they only afford $15? The Bush Economy is supposed be sizzling)
Narayan said he gave money "to make a stand." He supports Bush's positions on family values and taxes. "Everyone thinks the rich people are supporting Bush," he said. "I'm a new immigrant," from India.
(Of course Indians love Bush, look at all the jobs he has endorsed going to Indoa via Indian Companies masquerading as American Companies)
Allyn Stewart, a Los Angeles film producer and longtime Democratic fundraiser, has hosted two such events for Kerry. Both attracted political novices, including women who had never raised money for a political cause, she said, "moms, entertainment executives, lawyers, architects, truly all over the map."
She's surprised by the number of people wanting to donate the maximum to Kerry: "There are a lot of people saying, 'I want to go to the full $2,000.' I've never experienced that before."
Louis Susman, Kerry's national finance chairman, said he has never seen such interest in a presidential campaign: "Every single event I've had, I've been closed down by fire marshals or there's not been enough room."
(Haven't seen this kind of coverage by the News, hmmmm wonder why, because the News is not "Liberal" as the NeoCons say all the time)
In Atlanta, retired real estate executive Jack Cross, 73, a long-time Republican, said he became so distressed about the Bush administration's fiscal and foreign policies in January that he donated $25,000 to the DNC, the maximum allowed by an individual.
Giving "money is the only thing I could do," he said. "My wife was shocked. She said, 'You're what?' "
(Atlanta is supposed to be a Republican stronghold now, hmmmm)
"In my particular case, it motivated me to give more," said pharmaceutical company founder Agnes Varis, who donated $995,000 to the Joint Victory Campaign 2004, the fundraising arm of America Coming Together, before the complaint was filed.
"What can I tell you? I come from Brooklyn," said Varis, 74. "I can't think of any better act of patriotism than giving to ? get the message out to the American people about what is really going on in this country. We have to take it back in 2004. I have a stake in that at my age."
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