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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: George Coyne who wrote (165395)	7/27/2001 11:25:51 PM
From: American Spirit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

RNC CHAIR HALEY BARBOUR. In 1996, Haley Barbour toured several Asian countries. Even though he announced on November 7, 1996 that he had never been involved in fund-raising overseas, Barbour spoke at Hong Kong and Tokyo receptions which were sponsored by Republicans Abroad, whose organizers said that they were asking for contributions from both American citizens and non-American citizens living in Asia. Robert Connelly, owner of a Japanese business, attended the Tokyo reception and stated that RNC chair Barbour did mention the need for party money to non-American citizens. Republicans Abroad stated that they received contributions from a number of Japanese, Hong Kong and Taiwanese guests. Charlotte Kennedy Takahashi, former chair for Republicans Abroad in Japan, stated that the event attracted nearly 200 people, both American and non-American citizens, both of whom made contributions to the RNC. The Tokyo dinner was a $500-a-person reception which netted over $40,000. However, the Republicans contended that they were legal contributions, since their organizers stayed with the group in Japan, and the money was used to only cover the cost of the dinners. Joan Shepherd, chairwoman for Republicans Abroad, admitted that the purpose of the receptions was to bring in contributions for the RNC. Over a span of 15 months, Shepherd stated that Republicans Abroad raised over $146,000. An FEC report stated that in 1995 and 1996 Republicans Abroad raised $362,301. The largest donor to the GOP in 1996 was the American Defense Institute which runs a voter turn-out program for military personnel who tend to vote Republican. The group received well over $1 million, have of which came from Philip Morris and which was solicited by Barbour. Philip Morris is now a client of Barbour's lobbying company.