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Bought and Paid For

Who’s behind the president’s fundraising machine—and what they expect in return

By Craig Aaron

It’s official: President Bush’s re-election campaign is underway. For those who haven’t been paying attention—and Bush, Cheney and their corporate cronies certainly hope you haven’t—the president officially launched his campaign at a March 20 “kickoff” rally in Orlando. “I’m looking forward to this campaign ahead,” Bush told the assembled party faithful between chants of “Four more years!” and “USA! USA!” “With… return to article

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    Page 1 of 1 pages

    I know that I shouldn’t be blown away, by now, but, by Doggies, I am!

    How can we get for sure RID of this sombitch?!!

    United States Posted by Alan Taylor on Mar 28, 2004 at 12:56 AM

    The people MUST stand up and come together.  The power of the
    human heart and UNITY is the only thing that can beat this.  People
    Must watch the latest movie “the Revotlution will not be Televised”. 
    If you are not in CA, find it, it should be available in maybe a foreign film section or something.  Amazing true story/live documentary, taking place 2002/2003 in Venezuela and the kidnapping of Hugo Chavez.  This film demonstrates the importance of the people coming together, getting in the streets, treating each other with a gracious heart, and communicating for UNITY ! The people in VEnezuela did it, they (without any violence) kicked out the BuShit as Illegal and
    SO CAN WE.  We must come together, get involved and embrace all, Democrats, Greens, Independents, Disenfranchised Republicans, People that don’t vote…  Kucinich is just another example of how we can help the Democratic Party and we can do it together.  Takers?  w/ Respect—KF.

    United States Posted by Kfairbanks on Mar 28, 2004 at 3:19 AM

    I agree with Alan.  I shouldn’t be surprised…but I am.  Don’t ANY of them have a conscious??  Even the short-term effects of the Bush policies are devastating.  Can’t they see beyond their own bank account? (Well..and their friends’ too)  How narrow-minded and greedy can people be?  I shudder at the thought of Bush being re-elected (of course, the “re-” implies he was actually elected in the first place).  Four more years of him and his cronies and our country’s over…hated by the world and poisoned by our government…what a wonderful legacy for our children!

    United States Posted by Kris Kennow on Mar 29, 2004 at 10:36 PM

    Thanks for your precise reportage.  Please know that there are many here among us who think that Bush is but a very bad joke and needs to gather his wool in Crawford, TX. 

    United States Posted by Stephen W. and Ann Davis on Mar 30, 2004 at 10:50 PM

    Stephen W. and Ann Davis:

    While it may be cute for married couples to collaborate on e-mails and internet postings, you should also think about enlisting the help of a dictionary in the future, to keep from using original words like “reportage.”  Try “reporting” nex time.

    United States Posted by Harry on Mar 30, 2004 at 11:56 PM

    First the bushies are not “Warhawks”, they are chickenhawks as they and their neo-con cronies are mostly draft dodgers and deserters whose children are also exempt. This is the worst administration in US history and nothing is as important as throwing them out of office. Be you a Republican, Democrat, Green, Naderite, we must all unite to get bush out of the office that he (they) stole from us in 2000.

    United States Posted by Daniel L Davis on Mar 31, 2004 at 1:17 AM

    What a relevent input you made there Harry. Nice one.
    Regarding the article, as long as the sheeple ‘elect’ millionairs to represent them the situation is unlikely to change. Anyone for democracy?

    Europe Posted by Alec on Mar 31, 2004 at 4:59 PM

    I just have a comment on Craig Aaron’s article on Bush’s incredible war chest. Craig mentioned bundling. I still don’t understand bundling. If contributers are limited to $2000 per, how does bundling get around this? Tks Phil Mayher

    United States Posted by Phil Mayher on Mar 31, 2004 at 5:33 PM

    As long as corporations=individuals with rights and money>=free speech, the public at large will be powerless to effect change unless we vote creatures like bush out.

    United States Posted by devlyn on Mar 31, 2004 at 9:09 PM

    In response to Phil Mayher’s question: Each of these individuals is
    legally limited to a maximum donation of $2,000. But the Bush campaign
    evades that limit—and the spirit of the law—by giving tracking
    numbers to its fundraising elite that donors write on their checks. This
    ensures that the Rangers and Pioneers—and the special interests they
    represent—get credit for every dollar they bring in.

    For a more detailed discussion of bundling and election law, see the
    analysis by my colleague Craig Holman posted at
    http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/bundling_2.pdf

    United States Posted by Craig Aaron on Mar 31, 2004 at 11:34 PM

    The truly depressing thing is just how quickly all but the most right-wing religious elements will quickly orient themselves to a Kerry presidency, should that contigency become reality.

    Japan Posted by Charles Jannuzi on Apr 1, 2004 at 1:47 AM

    Kerry gives the illusion of moderation but is he going to overturn all the good works of Bush? All those ‘rebuilding contracts’ for Iraq, will they be put out to tender? All the ground work has been done, it make no difference if Bush wins the election or not.

    Europe Posted by Alec on Apr 1, 2004 at 12:57 PM

    I don’t care whether they are Republican or Democrat all politicians raise buckets of money and the incumbent always raises buckets more than the challenger. This is nothing new with W. raising millions if you are surprised then you have been living under a rock or just absolutely not following politics. Also I’m tired of hearing about W. stealing the 2000 election, that is how our system works for goodness sake its happened before and it will happen again if you don’t like it ask for reform of our voting system don’t blame the guy that works with what we’ve got.

    United States Posted by Cathy Campbell on Apr 2, 2004 at 11:36 PM

    Its no suprise that we have the best government money can buy, but what gets me is how any working man can be for another 4 years of Bush lies.  We have to try and take the money out of campaigns to save our democracy.  As long a politician needs money to run for office our democracy is in danger.

    United States Posted by jrg on Apr 4, 2004 at 8:54 PM

    WAKE UP AMERICA !!!!!!!!!

    Canada Posted by joe on Apr 5, 2004 at 6:50 AM

    You know i work hard to get people to vote…mainly in urban blck communties..the one thing that most of the people say the most is that they know more than any other group of people how rotten this system is…and many of them feel they cant do anything about..so voting is like a joke..after reading this i feel a little bit more helpless and agree a little more with the folks in the hood…

    United States Posted by changarocc on Apr 5, 2004 at 7:07 AM

    Your articles detail the awful truth,  that the Office Of The US Presidency is shamefully and unabashedly, for sale to the high bidders…The Bush Pioneers. The well-being and interests, of average Americans are no longer,  extended even a cursory glance, by The Bush Administration. Greed and the bottom line have overruled common sense, under Bush’s rule.

    United States Posted by Patricia Hand on Apr 12, 2004 at 11:39 PM

    Common sense and sane judgment, have taken a back seat to corporate greed, under the Bush Presidency.

    United States Posted by Patricia Hand on Apr 12, 2004 at 11:43 PM
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