BOP2008 | The Auction Blog

We’ve Moved!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:44:03 -0700

With the launch of the Center for Public Integrity’s new blog, The Paper Trail, The Auction Blog has come to its end. Please continue to check our The Buying of the President 2008 site often for new stories and interviews and read The Paper Trail for updates on this project and others.

How Close Is Too Close?

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:25:00 -0700

John McCain’s most recent bundler disclosure shows a possible link to convicted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, The New York Times reports. But it’s a stretch. The person of interest, Juan Carlos Benitez, is a registered lobbyist who Abramoff had recruited for a spot in the Bush administration. The McCain camp notes that Abramoff was one of many who recommended Benitez as special counsel for immigration-related unfair employment practices in 2001, and does not see a viable connection. Benitez has bundled between $50,000 and $100,000 for the Republican campaign.

You Know Me So Well

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:23:02 -0700

Barack Obama’s fundraising team is targeting donors in multiple ways via e-mail, Politico blogger Ben Smith reports. The campaign is asking for donations with the amount requested varying depending on the donor’s previous giving history.

Back in Business

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:08:00 -0700

Bouncing back from a relatively-slow fundraising month in May, Barack Obama raised $52 million in June, the second-highest monthly total ever for a presidential campaign, The Washington Post reports. The record for the all-time highest monthly haul is also held by Obama for his $55 million raised in February.

Lucrative Loopholes

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:59:02 -0700

John McCain has raised over $62 million earmarked for the general election, Daily Kos reports. Through loopholes that McCain’s “Victory” committees have found in Federal Election Commission regulations, McCain will be able to funnel donations to the Republican National Committee and couple that with his $85 million in public financing.

Big-Dollar Dependency

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:38:00 -0700

Bundlers raised more than half of John McCain’s presidential campaign dollars, but are responsible for just one-fifth of Barack Obama’s campaign chest, USA Today reports.

Keep It: It’s My Gift to Me

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:03:01 -0700

Mitt Romney will not seek donations to help pay off his personal campaign loans, The Boston Globe reports. The $45 million Romney gave to his failed presidential bid — the most ever by a candidate in primary campaign — will be “reclassified” as a contribution.

Perfect Match

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:01:03 -0700

The Federal Election Commission has approved matching funds for six presidential candidates. Democrats Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, and Dennis Kucinich, Republican Duncan Hunter, and independent Ralph Nader will receive more than $7 million collectively for their campaigns, bringing the total of matching funds approved for the 2008 election to about $26.7 million.

A Good Day for “Ms. Bud”

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:45:00 -0700

Cindy McCain is cashing in on InBev’s buyout of Anheuser-Busch, The New York Times reports. The nation’s third-largest A-B distributor, Hensley & Company, is expected to gain $1 million to $2 million from the sale. Outside of her executive role at Hensley, the McCain clan will also gain from her other personal stocks and those owned by her children.

Future Ambassadors

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:25:00 -0700

Stephen and Kimmy Brauer, John McCain’s hosts tomorrow at a St. Louis fundraising reception and dinner, are familiar with the rewards of fundraising. Stephen was a Pioneer-level donor for President Bush, who appointed him ambassador to Belgium in 2001.