Bush appeals online for cash

WASHINGTON - President Bush has spent seven of every $10 he has raised for his re-election campaign, more than half of it on television ads, and is asking supporters for even more money.

Bush has collected at least $218-million since he began fund raising in May 2003, easily outpacing Democratic rival John Kerry. But Kerry raised about $25-million to Bush's $13-million in May as the president scaled back his record-setting drive to hold fundraisers for other Republicans.

In a fundraising e-mail this week, the president declared that Kerry "has certainly got his liberal allies all stirred up to attack me."

Kerry is setting party fundraising records with more than $100-million raised and is also benefiting from groups spending millions on anti-Bush ads and outreach.

"I need your help again," Bush wrote. "Your continued support today will mean the difference in a close election. I hope you will make a donation of $2,000, $1,000, $500, $250 or even $100 or $50 today."

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright