Bush's key supporters are aiming to round up even more money as they prepare for the presidential campaign.
By ADAM C. SMITH
Published June 22, 2003
Many haven't cracked open their Crawford, Texas, barbecue sauce, and they don't often don their silver star belt buckles.
Still, these Floridians relish all those thank you mementos from George W. Bush, just as they enjoy Christmas parties at the White House. Now, they're getting fired up about re-electing him.
They are some of America's most elite Republican fundraisers, people with the connections to raise at least $100,000 for Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.
They do more than write huge checks to the party, though some of them do that, too. Mostly, they persuade others to give. You won't find them highlighted on campaign finance reports, but the Bush campaign carefully tracks precisely who raises what.
The Bush campaign released many of the names during the 2000 campaign. This year, more names were released as part of a lawsuit. All told, 539 people were designated as Bush "Pioneers."
Florida had 27 of these champion cash collectors. Only California and Texas have more.
Most of Florida's Pioneers are corporate executives, lobbyists or developers who work for politically active corporations. Most have gotten more than simple thank you trinkets: At least 16 Florida Pioneers or their spouses were appointed by the president or Gov. Jeb Bush to government boards.
Together, they demonstrate how politics, business and friendship are intertwined. These blue chip fundraisers work together on business ventures, are close family friends with one another or have worked together on prior political campaigns or civic causes.
The state has long been a campaign cash cow for both parties and especially generous to the Bush family. Republican activists expect Florida will once again play a key role in financing the Bush presidential campaign as it tries to break its previous record and raise at least $170-million.
That explains why this month two of the six early fundraisers the president is attending outside of Washington are in Florida. The others were in California, New York and Georgia.
Floridians gave more than $5.7-million to the Bush campaign in 2000, and some top Florida fundraisers expect at least twice that will flow into the re-election campaign.
"It's an easier sell this time," said William Scherer, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer and Bush Pioneer. "People love the president."
On June 30, hundreds of Floridians will write $2,000 checks to see Bush, first at Miami's airport Hilton and later at Tampa's Westshore Hyatt. Among the hosts will be some of the blue chip fundraisers who this election are aiming for even more elite status: Ranger.
That's the new title for people who can raise at least $200,000 for Bush's re-election, reflecting the doubling of the old $1,000 contribution limit.
"I would imagine Florida will have one of the highest numbers of Rangers, and I guarantee we'll have more Pioneers" than last election, said Fort Lauderdale cardiologist Zach Zachariah, a Pioneer who is co-chairing the president's Florida campaign with fellow Pioneer Tom Petway, a Jacksonville insurance executive.
It takes a special breed to reach the premier fundraising league. Vast wealth helps, of course, but not as much as a thick Rolodex.
Get 100 people to write $2,000 checks to Bush-Cheney and you, too, can become a Ranger.
"It's the most cold-blooded and efficient way of raising money in the history of politics," said Chuck Lewis of the Center for Public Integrity. "These aren't your average Americans. They're the most well-heeled interests with vested interests in government. ... They're getting access and influence."
Jorge Arrizurieta became a Pioneer while working as a lobbyist for South Florida billionaire Wayne Huizenga. He says A-list fundraisers like himself share a common trait: tenacity.
"You've got to be willing to make 20 calls for every five hits," he said, though several budding Pioneers and Rangers say the early success rate tops 50 percent.
In return, they get up-close access to Bush and his top advisers. In many cases, they also get government appointments.
In Florida, where a Bush has been on the ballot for seven of the past nine elections, ties to the family are deep and often personal. Many of the Florida pioneers have been actively raising money since former President Bush ran for president in 1988. For some, helping the family is good business.
They recount going to White House receptions where members of the family, without prompting, inquire about their sick children or a spouse's career. They leave wondering how they can do more to help.
"They're just good people with great values," said Mike Hightower of Jacksonville, a lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and a pioneer. "The president, 41, Jeb, the people around them, the campaign, they always take the time to say thank you, and they never ask anything that's unreasonable."
- Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com
