WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush has broken all fund-raising records as a presidential candidate and will now help the Republican National Committee set a new dollar mark of its own.
Having raised more than $80 million for his White House bid, Bush is headlining tonight's RNC black-tie gala, which will bring in a record $18 million for the party in one night.The previous fund-raising record for a political party in a single evening was the $14 million raised last year when Bush's father, the former president, headlined the same dinner.
Tonight's guest list reads like a Who's Who of business interests before the government.
AT&T, the National Rifle Association, tobacco giant Philip Morris, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and United Parcel Service are among the companies and groups whose officials will attend a private reception and then dine with the presumptive presidential nominee and GOP lawmakers.
In all, 38 companies or individuals raised or donated at least a quarter million dollars for the extravaganza, and an additional 16 shelled out at least $100,000, according to a donor list obtained by The Associated Press.
Democrats said the list was evidence that the Texas governor will side with corporate special interests if elected.
"We've known for the last few months that Bush is on his Bob Jones redemption tour, but now we know who the sponsors are: the tobacco industry, HMOs and insurance companies, and the gun lobby," Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Jenny Backus said.
Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer noted that Democrats returned millions of dollars in donations after the 1996 elections amid allegations that they came from foreign sources, which is illegal.
"The Democratic National Committee has returned more illegal money than most Republicans raise in any one year, so it's rather odd for them to launch fund-raising criticisms," Fleischer said.
And Republican officials noted that donations to the party average $55. Democratic Party officials have declined to specify their average contribution.
Before attending the dinner, Bush, whose foreign policy credentials have been questioned by critics, was to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, in town to see President Clinton and other U.S. officials. Bush and his wife Laura also were to be the keynote speakers on a lunchtime panel at a conference of Republican women leaders.
The DNC, meanwhile, is holding its own fund-raiser next month, trading tuxedos and gowns for blue jeans and barbecue at a Washington arena. Organizers expect to raise at least $7 million.
That same night, May 24, congressional Republicans are having their annual House-Senate dinner that will raise at least $8 million.
Tonight's RNC dinner features the leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois.
But the main attraction is Bush.
"We have a nominee now and everybody's excited about him and putting a Republican back in the White House and restoring dignity and integrity and trust in the White House," party chairman Jim Nicholson said.
The GOP gala includes several of the fund-raisers who helped the Texas governor amass a record $80 million for his presidential campaign.
For instance, the chairman, Sam Fox, heads a Missouri investment company and raised at least $100,000 for Bush's campaign.
And one co-chairman, who raised or contributed at least $250,000, is Kenneth Lay, head of the Texas-based energy giant Enron Corp. Enron has been the biggest financial contributor of Bush's political career, giving more than $500,000, according to the watchdog Center for Public Integrity. Lay also has raised more than $100,000 for Bush's presidential campaign.