Just curious,thought I heard on news last night that Bush spent 50 million on So.Carolina..anyone have amounts spent by candidates so far,what their war chest amounts are

-- george (jones@choices.com), February 20, 2000

Answers

sorry, must have mis-heard..Bush has raised +67 million,spent+35 million so far

-- george (jones@choices.com), February 20, 2000.

Bush spending closes GOP cash gap McCains surge saps advantage once considered unassailable

George W. Bush, speaking at a rally Sunday in Clinton Township, Mich., raised less money last month than John McCain.

By Ruth Marcus and John Mintz WASHINGTON POST

Feb. 21  Texas Gov. George W. Bush went on a nearly $13 million spending spree in pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination last month, draining his cash reserves to $20 million at the end of January and greatly eroding his once overwhelming money advantage.

FINANCIAL REPORTS filed with the Federal Election Commission yesterday show that John McCain for the first time out-raised the Texas governor last month, with the Arizona senator taking in $2.5 million to Bushs $2 million. Still, Bush has dramatically out-raised McCain overall, collecting nearly $71 million to McCains $18 million. He has spent a total of $50 million on the race so far. MCCAIN HAS $8 MILLION TO PLAY WITH Despite his robust fund-raising last month, McCains January spending report showed him with an anemic $342,000 cash on hand as of Jan. 31. But the McCain campaign said yesterday that he now has about $8 million to spend, taking into account additional contributions in February  after his double-digit victory in New Hampshire led to a surge of Internet contributions  and federal matching funds that he has received or qualified for. The filings underscore the degree to which McCains challenge has pressured Bush into heavy spending that has eroded his expected financial advantage over Vice President Gore if both front-runners win their partys nominations. The reports do not take into account Bushs additional investments this month in winning Saturdays South Carolina primary and preparing for upcoming contests in Michigan, Arizona and beyond  all of which are likely to further narrow the money gap between the Texas governor and his rivals in both parties.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), February 21, 2000.

why can't you americans vote on policy and ability of the candidates rather than how much money is invested in the campaign why do you have to be a billionaire to be a US president, if not at least indebted to partisan interests (banks, industry, unions or what have you)

-- sir richard (richard.dale@unum.co.uk), February 22, 2000.