Flush with funding, Bush plans to raise money for states' GOP

By Washington Post, 10/31/99

ASHINGTON - Texas Governor George W. Bush is launching an ambitious effort to raise cash for state parties from big givers who have already contributed the $1,000 maximum to his presidential campaign.

Bush, whose campaign has a record $37 million in the bank, will tap his enormous donor network to raise money for about 20 state parties.

The fund-raising will help pay for efforts to increase the GOP turnout for the presidential nominee and other candidates on Election Day next year.

The plan, first reported on the Fortune magazine Web Site, is an example of Bush's confidence, three months before a single vote has been cast.

''It's a great idea,'' said one Democratic strategist. ''If I thought it would work, I'd suggest Gore should start doing it right now.''