Monday, July 24, 2000
Tristate digs deep for Bush campaign
By Derrick DePledge
Enquirer Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Louis Chabut is not an easy touch.
But he has given money to conservative causes in the past and is known to refer to President Clinton as “Sick Slick.” Thus, it was no mystery how fund-raisers for Texas Gov. George W. Bush found his address in Indian Hill.
“Hey, I know I'm fair game,” said Mr. Chabut, chief executive officer at Queen City Supply Co., who wound up sending $500 to Bush's Republican presidential campaign.
The impressive Bush fund-raising engine — with its layers of private receptions, direct mail and personal appeals — has pulled together more than $93 million, by far the most money ever collected by a political candidate. Few juicy prospects in the Tristate were overlooked along the way.
Mr. Bush has raised more than $2.9 million in Ohio, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, with $747,200 in contributions from the Tristate, where conservatives traditionally do well. In contrast, Mr. Bush has drawn $423,500 from Columbus and $327,650 from Cleveland.
The center, a public-policy group that follows campaign finance, found that Cincinnati had the top three zip codes in the state for contributions to Mr. Bush. Donors in Kenwood-Madeira-Indian Hill, Hyde Park-Mt. Lookout and downtown-Eden Park-Walnut Hills combined for more than $380,550 through the end of May.
Overall, the Tristate was the leading metropolitan area in the state for total contributions — at $6 million — with four of the top 10 zip codes for political giving in the 2000 elections.
The Tristate was also a rich source of so-called “soft money” — unlimited donations from individuals, businesses or unions to political parties for promotional activities. American Financial Group Inc., controlled by financier Carl Lindner Jr., has contributed $525,000 to Republicans and $270,000 to Democrats over the 2000 election cycle, according to
the center's research, which calculated contributions by the company, its political action committee, its employees and their immediate families. Cintas Corp., the Mason uniform supply company, has given $595,000 to the Republicans.
Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, described the Tristate as “Bush country.” Two of the Texas governor's close friends, Cincinnati investors Mercer Reynolds III and William O. DeWitt Jr., are dedicated fund-raisers for the Bush family. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. DeWitt were business partners with Mr. Bush on an oil venture in Texas and in the purchase of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
A Bush fund-raiser that the pair organized last July at the Omni Netherland Plaza Hotel brought in more than $1 million.
Reynolds, DeWitt & Co. has also donated at least $100,000 in “soft money” to Republicans, the center found. “They have really spread the word,” Mr. Portman said. “But I also think there is a sort of habit in our area of giving.”
William Monnig, a physician from Covington, said he was asked to attend a Bush fund-raiser last summer because he has supported a number of candidates in the past. As a former chairman of the political action committee for the Kentucky Medical Association, Mr. Monnig has seen the difference a donation can make.
“It gives you an opportunity to get your viewpoint across to the elected official or to staff,” said Mr. Monnig, who gave Mr. Bush $1,000.
The Bush campaign's record take has revived animosity over the role of money in elections. The average House campaign now costs $650,000 and can go as high as $7 million, while a run for the Senate can cost anywhere from $5 million to $50 million, depending on the state and the media markets where politicians buy expensive television advertising.
The Center for Responsive Politics and other government watchdogs argue that money has corrupted the democratic process by forcing politicians to appease important donors. Some regular contributors are also tired of being constantly approached for cash.
“It would be wonderful if we could have campaign-finance reform,” said Robert B. Off, the owner of Real Estate Resource Co. in Cincinnati, who gave $1,000 to Mr. Bush. “But I don't know how you do that.”
Mr. Off said money, despite its drawbacks, narrows the field of candidates by ensuring only those with broad support emerge as contenders. He said he chose Mr. Bush because he agrees with his conservative philosophy.
“He understands that we who have much have to provide for those who can't provide for themselves,” Mr. Off said. “But he doesn't think, and I don't think, the federal government needs to get involved in everything.”
Mr. Chabut said he often receives several fund-raising letters a week and makes up his mind on the merits of the cause.
“I contribute to the candidates, never to the party,” he explained. “They're more accountable.”
Mr. Bush, he said, should be more specific about how he would reform Social Security and allow people to invest some of their Social Security money in stocks or private retirement accounts. He also wants Mr. Bush to talk more about parental responsibility.
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