CPI #11, Political Olympics

September 14, 2000

Pole Vault. Most campaign cash given to self, vaulting candidate into contention: Jon Corzine, Democratic Senate candidate, NJ: $33 million.1

  • Synchronized Swimming. Company showing most coordination by giving to both the Democratic and Republican parties: AT&T, $993,000 to Democratic party committees; $1.5 million to Republican party committees; total; $2.5 million.2
  • Backstroke. Stroking Congressional colleagues’ backs - the most campaign cash distributed by a Member of Congress’ leadership Political Action Committee: Keep Our Majority PAC, Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), $469,000.3
  • Shooting. Most campaign cash shot by a federal candidate in the 2000 elections: George W. Bush, who has spent $81 million.4
  • Dream Team. Presidential candidate receiving the most campaign cash from the TV, movies, and music industries: Al Gore, $929,000. 5
  • High Jump, Senate. He may have raised nearly $18 million, but Rep. Rick Lazio (R) still must make a very high jump to catch up with Hillary Clinton’s $22 million, making the New York Senate race the most expensive on this year: $63 million raised by all candidates.6
  • Wrestling. Eleven GOP primary candidates wrestled it out in the Illinois District 10 primary, helping make the seat that 11-term Rep. John Porter (R) is vacating the most expensive race in the House: $8.9 million raised by all candidates.7
  • Power Lifting. The 800-pound gorilla of giving, the most generous industry sector giving
    in the 2000 elections: finance, insurance, and real estate: $166 million.8
  • Uneven Bars. Ratio of contributions to Bush and Gore campaigns from residents of Beverly Hills, 90210 compared to those from 90059, in Watts: 494: 1.9
  • Marathon. What it will cost in the long haul -- estimated total cost for 2000 elections: $3 billion.10

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    1 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/dist_total/NJS1.htm.
    2 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/parties/index.htm.
    3 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indus/2000/Q03.htm.
    4 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/storysofar/topraces.asp.
    5 Holly Bailey, “Moolah-Palloza,” Money in Politics Alert, Center for Responsive Politics, Sept. 11, 2000, vol. 5, #55.
    6 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/storysofar/topraces.asp.
    7 ibid.
    8 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=F.
    9 Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/geog_look.htm.
    10 Don Van Natta Jr., “Campaign Fund-Raising Is at Record Pace,” The New York Times, October 3, 1999, sec. 1, p. 38.