April 28, 1999
Web posted at: 1:43 p.m. EDT (1743 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 28) -- In the first fund-raiser of her presidential campaign, Elizabeth Dole raised $500,000 and grabbed the endorsement of former U.N. Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick.

But the $500,000 pales in comparison to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who has raised $7.6 million, including nearly $300,000 a day in the first 28 days of his campaign. Bush also raised that money without fund raising events.

"She's starting slow," said Bruce Buchanan, political science professor at the University of Texas. "If she's not able to raise sizable chunks of money to come within one-half or one-third of what George W. Bush has raised, people might start raising questions about her viability."

Those questions are being raised by some in GOP circles. But Dole, who has more than a dozen fund raisers planned in the next two months, says some context is needed.

"I worked on a nonpartisan job at the Red Cross and wasn't allowed to fund-raise. When you're in a position to have a turnkey operation, a campaign in waiting, you have an advantage," she said, referring to Bush's campaign.

Dole also pointed to her name recognition. So far, she is running second to Bush in most public opinion polls and is trailed by other GOP hopefuls who have raised more money than Dole.

"People know me. That gives me a huge financial advantage," Dole said. "Other candidates who don't have that name recognition and the support that seems to be out there for me would have to spend a minimum of $10 million to $15 million just to achieve that."

Her fund-raiser also signaled that her campaign is gaining momentum after a sluggish start. She has carefully laid out her positions on abortion and the Kosovo crisis, avoiding the criticism Bush received after he initially addressed those issues.

Dole also drew large crowds last weekend for her first major swing through Iowa and unveiled an impressive list of party supporters in the early-voting state.

The endorsement by Kirkpatrick adds weight to Dole's foreign policy portfolio. Like Dole, Kirkpatrick is a former member of President Ronald Reagan's Cabinet.

"She helped win the Cold War, and now she's going to help me win my battle for the presidency," Dole said at the fund-raiser.

Kirkpatrick said Dole was a Reagan-style Republican who would build on the former president's foreign policies and would work to improve the nation's security. She also mentioned Dole's husband, Bob Dole, who was the GOP's nominee in 1996.

"She has a very good foreign policy adviser in her husband, Bob Dole," Kirkpatrick said.

The former Senate majority leader said he would do "whatever she asks me to do" to help her campaign and said he would help her raise money.

"She has to establish her own campaign," Mr. Dole said, who has only rarely appeared with his wife on the campaign trail.

Tuesday's fund-raiser was attended by about 400 people, including staff and volunteers who did not have to pay to attend. Aides said some of the $500,000 was donated by people who did not attend and also included some money that was donated weeks ago.

"It's not your typical Washington crowd," said her spokesman Ari Fleischer. "Most of the Washington crowd is already sowed up" by Bush.

Though Mrs. Dole refused to set a fund-raising goal, a senior adviser said she needs to raise at least $5 million in the second quarter of 1999 to maintain momentum.

Dole aides said Washington was not the best place to open the fund-raising season, because political professionals are traditionally reluctant to donate to campaigns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, April 28, 1999

• House OKs bill restricting Clinton's ability to deploy ground troops..
• Clinton warns Congress not to double Kosovo appropriations request
• Transcript: President Bill Clinton speaks on Kosovo
• Dole raises $500,000
• Energy chief: Spy suspect downloaded classified nuclear weapons data
• Lawmakers tout technology to boost school safety
• IRS finds 15 cases of file snooping after new law made it criminal
• Administration threatens veto of Y2K bill
• Republican chairman unveils Social Security plan
• Bradley flies under the radar: Can he give Gore a race?
• Jones lawyers ask for more time in Clinton contempt case
• Powerful Arkansas state senator indicted in alleged corruption plot
• Bankruptcy overhaul bills clear Senate panel, advance in House
• Senate seeks compromise on Y2K litigation bill
• Legionnaires' bacteria found again in Capitol power plant

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