Bush 'Bundlers' Take Fundraising to New Level (WP)

[Nambe]

The Washington Post

As chairman, president and chief executive of Safeway Inc., the world's 11th-largest grocery chain, Steven Burd is the nexus of a wide network of subordinates and suppliers, as well as friends in corporate suites. And that is why he will play a critical role in President Bush's effort to raise the largest amount of money ever spent on a presidential campaign -- not by giving a lot of money himself, but by finding a lot of people to give relatively little.

In the jargon of political fundraising, Burd is a bundler.

At two Bush fundraising events in California last month, Burd filled 10 tables with Safeway suppliers, including rice farmers, strawberry growers and a cheese manufacturer, plus representatives of Breyers ice cream, Sunkist produce and Del Monte canned goods who paid $2,000 to hear Bush talk. Each donor wrote a four- digit "solicitor tracking code" assigned to Burd on his check so that the Safeway CEO will receive credit from Bush campaign officials and they can keep a running tally of his efforts. The possible rewards, depending on how much money he can bring in, include cocktails with campaign architect Karl Rove, dinner with Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans and photo opportunities and sessions with the president. ---

Banish bush From Texas Too

[Nambe]

1. If they like what they are buying, they must have jobs.

Wish more people did.

[Nambe]

2. Easy for you to say, you have two jobs L.

[Frances]

3. I usually buy at Safeway

Now I'll feel bad every time I shop there.

[Mz Pip]

4. I thought Bush was

God's chosen one. What does he need $200 million for if God has this locked up for him???????

MzPip
:dem:

[shanti]

5. pyramid scheme

anyone?

[dmr]

7. I was going to type the same thing, seekthetruth

Aren't they illegal?

I think I need to examine what products I buy, and from whom.

[w4rma]

6. This article give the basic layout of the right-wing "conspiracy" (n/t)

.

[dArKeR]

8. Safeway, Breyers, Sunkist, Del Monte - Boycott

Safeway, Breyers, Sunkist, Del Monte - Boycott

[Beetwasher]

9. This is a SHAKEDOWN!

Think about it. Safeway goes to its SUPPLIERS and "asks" them if they want to contribute to the Chimp's campaign by attending a fundraiser. I'm sure they tell their suppliers that it would be GOOD FOR BUSINESS!! IOW, contribute to the Chimp or we might buy from your competitors instead of you. Get it? This is a shakedown, plain and simple, and it's made legal.