WASHINGTON - July 1 - The biggest of President Bush's big-money backers were revealed yesterday when the Republican National Committee (RNC) released the names of 62 "Super Rangers" - fundraisers who have collected at least $28.5 million for Bush's re-election efforts, according to an analysis by Public Citizen posted today at WhiteHouseForSale.org.
The "Super Rangers" are high-powered fundraisers who have collected at least $300,000 for the RNC. All but a handful of these rainmakers already ranked among Bush's largest financial backers. Forty-five of the Super Rangers previously had been crowned "Rangers" after raising at least $200,000 for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign - meaning they each have raised at least $500,000 this cycle. Nine more had achieved "Pioneer" status by collecting at least $100,000 for Bush.
"The fact that any individual is allowed to bundle half a million dollars for the president is an affront to our democracy," said Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook. "But the Bush administration has made clear from day one that it will shower its supporters with special favors, insider access and plum appointments. No wonder so many executives and lobbyists are competing for these titles."
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