That’s what George W. Bush may shortly become. He is said to have raised $968M for himself and for other candidates since he took office in 2001, $70M of which has come so far this election year. That puts him a scant $32M away from eclipsing the Billion dollar mark, if you can call $32M scant. Bush’s 2007 total, also effective this election cycle, was $66.3M, according to the Associated Press. AP notes that the cash does not come without a price for those who receive it, however – it ties them to Bush’s low approval ratings. According to Rasmussen Reports, it stands at 33% at the moment.
So far, during 2007 and 2008, Bush has directly aided 12 senate and 12 house candidates, and one gubernatorial candidate. Here is a list of Bush beneficiaries.
Senate
Jeff Sessions, incumbent (R-AL)
Bob Schaffer, challenger (R-CO)
Pat Roberts, incumbent (R-KS)
Mitch McConnell, incumbent (R-KY)
John Kennedy, challenger, (R-LA)
Norm Coleman, incumbent (R-MN)
Roger Wicker, incumbent (R-MS)
Mike Johanns, challenger (R-NE)
Pete Domenici, incumbent (R-NM)
Lindsey Graham, incumbent (R-SC)
Lamar Alexander, incumbent (R-TN)
John Cornyn, incumbent (R-TX)
House of Representatives
Tim Bee, challenger, (R-AZ)
David Cappiello, challenger (R-CT)
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, incumbent (R-FL)
Mario Diaz-Balart, incumbent (R-FL)
Rick Goddard, challenger (R-GA)
Aaron Schock, challenger (R-IL)
Nick Jordan, challenger (R-KS)
Sam Graves, incumbent (R-MO)
Darren White, challenger (R-NM)
Steve Chabot, incumbent (R-OH)
Pete Olson, challenger (R-TX)
David Reichert, incumbent (R-WA)
Governor
Pat McCrory, challenger, (R-NC)
Source: Associated Press
