-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Bush: Mansion Guests Are Friends By Jonathan D. Salant Associated Press Writer Friday, March 3, 2000; 4:13 p.m. EST WASHINGTON –– Trying to deflect criticism from rival John McCain, George W. Bush said Friday that he opened the Texas governor's mansion to friends and relatives, not campaign fund-raisers. Bush's response came after The Associated Press reported that eight of 31 overnight guests in the mansion had helped him raise a record $70 million for his presidential campaign. One was his national finance chairman, Don Evans. The other seven had raised at least $100,000 apiece for the campaign – fund-raisers Bush has dubbed "pioneers." "These people are relatives and friends who were welcome in my home before I was governor, they are welcome in our home while I am governor, and they will always be welcome in our home after I am governor," Bush said. McCain has likened the practice to President Clinton's use of the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House to reward big donors to the Democratic Party. "There's no doubt that the Bushes have a large family and many friends," McCain spokesman Dan McLagan said. "But it seems that it takes friendship plus $100,000 to rate a sleepover at the governor's mansion. "Having these pioneers who are funneling $100,000 each to the governor, many of whom have business before the state, creates the appearance of impropriety." McCain raised the issue Thursday night in the Republican debate in Los Angeles. "Gov. Bush just said that he wants unlimited contributions from individuals," McCain said in his call to overhaul campaign finance laws. "Maybe that explains why there have been the sleepovers in Austin at the governor's mansion by the pioneers." But the Bush campaign noted that one guest was a cousin, Craig Stapleton; two were public officials and friends of the governor, Michigan Gov. John Engler and Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith; and the other five were longtime friends. The campaign said Evans has known Bush for 25 years and went to elementary school with the governor; Texas Public Safety Commissioner Jim Francis has known Bush for 30 years; investor Brad Freeman is one of Bush's best friends; developer Ronald Betts was Bush's roommate at Yale University; and businessman Joe O'Neill and wife, Jan, introduced Bush to his wife, Laura. © Copyright 2000 The Associated Press <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
