Senate's hopefuls have deep pockets

[question everything]

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Senate's hopefuls have deep pockets

Potential presidential candidates reveal their wealth through annual financial-disclosure forms.

By DONNA CASSATA
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Senators eyeing the White House are a well-heeled lot.

Republican leader Bill Frist, the Tennessee heart surgeon whose father founded a hospital chain, has blind trusts valued between $7 million and $35 million, a significant chunk of cash if he opts to use some of his finances to start a 2008 presidential bid.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., earned nearly $2.4 million in book royalties from her memoirs while receiving income from a blind trust valued at $5 million to $25 million that she holds jointly with her husband, former President Clinton.

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Overall, the Senate lived up to its reputation as a millionaires' club, with several potential presidential candidates clearly in the top tax brackets.

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Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, a potential Democratic presidential candidate, derived the bulk of his personal income from his Senate salary of $158,100. His wife Susan's business dealings overshadowed that income.

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Franki Roberts, wife of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.; and Tricia Lott, wife of Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss.; bought and sold stocks through their Meager Means Investment Club. Roberts valued her 60 stocks at $70,000-$879,000. The club includes some congressional spouses and other Washington-area women who meet occasionally to share investment tips.

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Democratic Sen. John Kerry, the unsuccessful 2004 presidential candidate who also may make another run, listed four trusts valued at $430,000-$2.56 million as well as page after page of his wife's holdings. Teresa Heinz's wealth is estimated at more than $500 million.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/06/15/sections/news/focus_politics/article_560087.php