No doubt about it, John. The Dems are the party of the "Fat Cats." New York Times.
9 of 10 Big Donors Prefer Democrats
DEMOCRATS have long moaned about their status as second-class fund-raisers. After all, President Bush is single-handedly out-raising the combined efforts of all nine Democrats running to oust him next year.
But the Democrats are hardly without their wealthy benefactors.
Since 1991, when so-called soft money was recorded for the first time, 9 of the 10 all-time biggest donors have been Democrats, according to an analysis for Political Points by the Center for Responsive Politics.
The list is led by Haim Saban, a Hollywood billionaire who created the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and his wife, Cheryl. They have written checks for $11.3 million, all but a tiny amount of it to Democrats.
Carl H. Lindner, a Cincinnati businessman and owner of the Cincinnati Reds, and his wife, Edith, are the only Republicans to crack the top 10, giving $4.2 million to rank No. 5. Mr. Lindner is the only contributor on the list to give substantial amounts to both parties, about two-thirds to Republicans and the rest to Democrats.
The rest of the top 10 is Fred Eychaner of Newsweb Corporation ($8.9 million); Stephen L. Bing of Shangri-La Entertainment ($7.5 million); Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz of Loral Space Communications ($5.6 million); S. Daniel and Ewa Abraham of the Center for Middle East Peace ($4.2 million); Steven and Michele Kirsh of Propel Corporation ($4 million); Peter L. Buttenwieser and his wife, Terry Marek, of Peter L. Buttenwieser & Associates ($3.6 million); Senator Jon Corzine and his wife, Joanne ($3.4 million); and Peter G. Angelos, a lawyer and owner of the Baltimore Orioles, and his wife, Georgia ($3.2 million).
nytimes.com |
