Election 2000 briefs

August 24, 1999
Web posted at: 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT)

Bush's fund-raising prowess helps other presidential hopefuls

WASHINGTON -- George W. Bush's decision to forgo federal funds for his bid for the 2000 Republican nomination is giving other candidates a chance to get more of their money sooner.

The Texas governor declined to accept federal matching funds for presidential candidates to avoid spending limits tied to them. Bush raised $37 million through midyear, more than all the other Republican primary candidates combined.

With Bush out, the Federal Election Commission now says it will have enough money to give the other Republican and Democratic primary candidates all of their matching funds by next July, instead of making them wait until April 2001. The FEC said on January 1 it will be able to give candidates 39 percent of the federal aid they are entitled to instead of the 32 percent projected had Bush applied for matching funds, and in total the FEC also will be able to pay out around $82 million instead of the $99 million originally expected now that Bush isn't accepting matching funds.

For the candidates, the larger payments mean they will be able to borrow less money against their total expected federal funds, reducing interest costs and giving them more to spend as the first caucuses and primaries are held in the first few months of next year.

The candidates that have already qualify for matching funds are Gary Bauer, former Sen. Bill Bradley, Elizabeth Dole, Sen. John McCain and former Vice President Dan Quayle. Vice President Al Gore also has said he will apply for matching funds.

Under federal law, candidates agree to limit spending and the federal government matches the first $250 of individual contributions. Candidates become eligible for federal funding by raising at least $5,000 in 20 different states from individuals contributing no more than $250 each.

Bradley stumps in Harlem

NEW YORK -- Former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley took his message of fighting poverty and improving health care to Harlem Monday, telling an audience that if elected president he would fight to raise children out of poverty and grant health care to all Americans.

"There are still 14 million children in America who live in poverty," Bradley said at a forum hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton. "There are still 45 million people in America without any health insurance. In an economy that's as good as ours ... the question is how can we make sure that more people in America have health care and fewer children in America live in poverty."

Speaking to about 500 people at the headquarters of Sharpton's National Action Network, he said racial unity "is not for me a political position. It's who I am. It's what I believe, it's what I care most about, it's one of the main motivations for me to get into politics in the first place."

Bradley is the only opposition to Vice President Al Gore for the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination. In his speech, he also said he would also work to tighten gun controls, raise the minimum wage, reform campaign financing and make it easier for low-wage workers to be represented by unions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CAMPAIGN 2000

New Hampshire sets February 1 primary date (9-28-99) Arizona governor endorses Bush over McCain (9-28-99) Bradley unveils $65 billion plan for universal health care (9-28-99) Gore receives endorsements of Shaquille O'Neal and Bill Cosby (9-28-99) MORE HEADLINES

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