Gore Statement on Bush Use of Sept. 11th. Photos for Fund-Raising
Tuesday 14 May, 2002
"While most pictures are worth a thousand words, a photo that seeks to capitalize on one of the most
tragic moments in our nation's history is worth only one - disgraceful. I cannot imagine that the families of
those who lost their lives on September 11th condone this - and neither should the President of the United
States."
Background article for context :
GOP Offers Sept. 11 Bush Photo to Donors
WASHINGTON (AP) --Capitalizing on President Bush's drawing power, the Republican National
Committee aimed for a record $30 million fund-raising bonanza Tuesday while congressional Republicans
sought to reward donors with a September 11 photo of Bush aboard Air Force One.
The photo of Bush calling Vice President Dick Cheney from the presidential plane just hours after the
terror attacks is part of a three-picture set the National Republican Senatorial Campaign and its House
counterpart promises to anyone who donates $150 or more to attend their joint fund-raising dinner next
month.
The photos depict "the defining moments of 'The First Year' of the George W. Bush presidency," a
fund-raising mailing says.
The pictures show "the gritty determination of our new president at his inauguration; a telephone call
from Air Force One to Vice President Cheney the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001; and President Bush's
historic State of the Union speech before a joint session of Congress that united a nation and a world," it
says.
In an accompanying letter, Cheney tells prospective donors the dinner has special meaning this year.
"It is an opportunity to honor President Bush for his courageous leadership during this historic time and
to thank you for making that leadership possible through your steadfast support of President Bush and his
agenda," Cheney wrote.
Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign watchdog group, said
use of a September 11 photo and other pictures of Bush on the job, "though not as expensive," reminded
him of then-Democratic President Clinton's use of overnight stays in the White House Lincoln Bedroom and
other trappings of his office to reward donors.
"They really came in saying they were going to clean up fund raising and politics and not be involved in
the same kind of behavior the Clinton administration was involved in," Noble said of the Bush White House.
"I think we saw from the first days in office they were doing all the same things."
Cheney drew criticism from campaign watchdog groups a year ago for holding a reception for about 400
top Republican donors at the vice presidential mansion on the eve of the RNC gala.
Bush political adviser Karl Rove was criticized in January by Democrats for telling the RNC that
Republicans could campaign this year on their efforts to fight terrorism.
A National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman defended the inclusion of a September 11
photo in the donor package.
"These pictures are of historic moments from the president's first year and are living testimony of his
courage under fire, and leadership," the NRCC's Carl Forti said. "It is frankly offensive that anyone would
suggest otherwise."
White House spokeswoman Anne Womack did not immediately respond to messages left at her office
Monday evening seeking comment.
A Republican official said the photos were licensed and therefore not believed to be the work of an
official White House photographer.
The fund-raising solicitation for the June 19 Republican congressional dinner came as the RNC
anticipated raising about $30 million at its black-tie presidential gala Tuesday night at the Washington
Convention Center. That amount would shatter the previous single-night record set in 2000 by Clinton and
then-Vice President Al Gore.
The estimated RNC total, provided by a Republican official on condition of anonymity, would easily
exceed the $26.5 million Clinton and Gore raised at a Democratic National Committee barbecue.
Bush and Cheney helped raise $24 million at the RNC's black-tie gala last year.
Such fund-raising records would be difficult to break if a new law prohibiting unlimited campaign
contributions from companies, unions and others to national party committees survives numerous legal
challenges and takes effect after this fall's election.
The RNC, in its lawsuit, contends the soft money ban unconstitutionally interferes with states' rights
and the party's ability to take part in the political process. Party committees use soft money for overhead
and party-building activities around the country such as get-out-the-vote drives.
RNC gala organizers offered tables of 10 to individuals and political action committees for $15,000 and
to corporate donors for $20,000.
Those who committed to raising $500,000 or more were honored as dinner co-chairmen, while those
who raised at least $250,000 were vice chairmen of the event at the Washington Convention Center.
Republican "Eagles" -- those who donate at least $15,000 annually to the RNC -- were invited to
meetings with administration officials earlier Tuesday.
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