Friday, November 19, 2004
Bush fundraisers get appointments.
So I guess giving lots of money gives you some clout in Washington.
Go figure!
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So I guess giving lots of money gives you some clout in Washington.
Go figure!
One-third of President Bush (news - web sites)'s top 2000 fund-raisers or their spouses were appointed to positions in his first administration, from ambassadorships in Europe to seats on policy-setting boards, an Associated Press review found.
The perks for 246 "pioneers" who raised at least $100,000 also included overnight stays at the White House and Camp David, parties at the White House and Bush's Texas ranch, state dinners with world leaders and overseas travel with U.S. delegations to the Olympics and other events, the review found.
Top fund-raisers say the real charm of the rewards was getting the chance to rub elbows with the president.
"All of us in politics, we've done so many parties and receptions it's old hat to us," said David Miner, a North Carolina textile executive and state lawmaker who helped raise more than $100,000 for Bush in 2000. He was rewarded with invitations to the White House, the vice presidential mansion and Bush's ranch.
"But knowing that here's the commander in chief, the most powerful man on the face of the earth, and you have this first-name-basis with him, that's very special," Miner said.
For some, the chance to mingle with the world's power brokers came in the form of diplomatic appointments. At least two dozen of the 2000 pioneers or their spouses became ambassadors, mostly to Europe.
Howard Leach, a California agribusiness investment banker and former finance chairman of the Republican National Committee (news - web sites), went to Paris. Lobbyist Peter Terpeluk went to Luxembourg.
At least 57 contributors or their spouses were named to agency positions, advisory or decision-making committees and boards or to U.S. delegations.
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