Gore, Bush Lead Money Chase

Democratic Vice President Al Gore and GOP Gov. George W. Bush easily outdistanced the fund raising efforts of their rivals in the presidential race, according to figures released by the Federal Election Commission.

The vice president led everyone by raising $8.9 million in the first three months of 1999, according to campaign financial disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Gore's only serious rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, trailed Gore badly despite raising a respectable $4.3 million.

Texas Gov. George Bush, the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, was far and away the most effective Republican fund raiser. He took in $7.6 million in 28 days without the benefit of a fund-raising event, according to FEC documents.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle raised more than any other GOP hopeful except Bush, taking in $2.1 million. But much of that money was raised through direct mail solicitation, which is expensive; he spent $1 million on fund raising. Quayle had 35,251 contributors, more than the 23,339 people who gave to Bush. Overall, Quayle spent $1.6 million on the campaign and had $500,443 in the bank.

Among other Republicans:

• Sen. John McCain of Arizona reported raising $1.8 million and transferred another $2 million from his Senate campaign fund. He spent $1 million and had $2.8 million in the bank.
• Conservative activist Gary Bauer raised $1.4 million, but spent most of it, $881,518. His cash on hand, $489,367, is barely more than the debts the campaign owes, $425,563.
• Elizabeth Dole, publisher Steve Forbes, who spent millions of his own money in the 1996 race, and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander all reported raising less than $1 million during the three-month cycle.
• Rep. John Kasich of Ohio is not disclosing how much his campaign has raised and spent.

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