The haves and the have mores

Another look at the base of President Bush:

These supporters - some of whom have raised $200,000 or more for President Bush or the party - are being charged a "convention fee'' this year of up to $4,500 per person for themselves and each guest, according to a Web page run by LogiCom Project Management, the company handling the events and travel arrangements.

That's just for starters. The fund-raisers will also pay for airfare, several nights in a hotel and optional events they might choose - like a fashion show at Barneys or the U.S. Open tennis tournament. The result is that a couple could easily run up a tab of well over $10,000.

"A lot of us looked at that thing and said, whoa!'' said Bruce Bialosky of California, who raised $100,000 to become a Pioneer fund-raiser. He estimates that the convention will cost him and his family $15,000. "A lot of people just can't afford that.''

And if you think Democrats do the same thing, think again:

While Democratic fund-raisers got into parties free during their national convention in Boston, some Republicans - even the most well off - are experiencing sticker shock. A few said they called campaign officials to complain. Others are looking into leaving their spouses behind, sharing hotel rooms or taking other measures to cut costs. Almost all said they have heard grumbling from their friends in fund-raising circles.

"The price of playing the game has risen dramatically,'' said Fred Zeidman, a Texas fund-raiser who has brought in at least $200,000. "I don't think anybody is happy about writing the check. But it's a cost of doing business.''

I wonder what kind of business Zeidman could be talking about. Could it refer to this:

Big business owners and executives account for 63 percent of Bush’s current elite donors, while corporate attorneys or lobbyists account for another 21 percent, according to Texans for Public Justice numbers. The president appointed 52 of his current elite donors to his White House transition team or to subsequent federal posts. Meanwhile, Pioneers from Bush’s 2000 race head the departments of Commerce, Labor, Housing, and Homeland Security. Bush nominated a larger herd of them to run 22 foreign embassies. In fiscal 2002 the federal government awarded $2 billion in contracts to 72 companies run by Bush’s current elite donors. The companies of more than 40 current elite donors have been implicated in corporate scandals. Not surprisingly, many elite Bush donors have an interest in taking the regulatory cops off their beats.

Or maybe it refers to business the company he chaired, Seitel Inc., had with the Bush Administration:

After Enron melted down, Seitel—which sells seismic oil-detection technology—restated earlier financial statements, cutting its reported revenues 22 percent over two years. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged ex-Seitel CEO Paul Frame with taking $2 million in unearned bonuses and secretly using company funds for his membership in a Ferrari racing club and to pay a $1.2 million personal legal settlement with his ex-girlfriend. The SEC settled its securities charges against the company in June 2003 on enviable terms. Seitel admitted no guilt, paid no fine and merely agreed not to violate securities laws in the future.

By using a third party to collect funds to run the convention, money raised is not considered a campaign contribution, even though it is used for political reasons. Therefore the Bush campaign can use money it would have spent on the convention itself to campaign with instead. Pretty sneaky if you ask me.

So the Democrats are either stupid not to use this tacit, or they realize not all of their supporters can afford $4,500 dollars a pop to head to the election. Things like this only continue to paint the GOP as out of touch with the common man, the party for the wealthy few.