[Rhodes22-list] Not What I Had In Mind - Politics?

[Brad Haslett]

On a search for something completely different, I stumbled across this old
article in the local paper (which I don't read).  Brad

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Locals opening their wallets Donations aid presidential hopefuls

By Bartholomew Sullivan

Monday, February 4, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The Greater Memphis region has provided substantial financial
support to all of the major party candidates still running for president, a
review of their filings with the Federal Election Commission reveals.

And local residents such as FedEx pilot Brad Haslett of Collierville,
attorney Dennis Patrick Hawkins of Memphis, CPA W. Bernard Hill of Memphis
and retiree Mary L. Thoni of Germantown helped finance former Tennessee
senator Fred Thompson's $21.5 million ill-fated run.

In advance of Tuesday's Super Dooper primaries, including races in Tennessee
and Arkansas, all the candidates met the Jan. 31 filing deadline, and all
listed Memphis or Shelby County contributors.

Democrat and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton raised $26.7 million in the
fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, for a total of $107 million. She had help
from Downtown retiree Margaret Newman of Memphis ($268.62), Beale Street
impresario John Elkington ($1,300), John V. Faraci Jr. of Memphis ($2,300)
and retirees Sylvia H. Rose of Memphis ($300) and Eula M. Gates of
Collierville ($350).

Democrat and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama raised $22.8 million in the fourth
quarter, for a total of $102 million, with the assistance of pathologist
Royce Joyner of Memphis ($1,000), attorney Ursula Jones of Olive Branch
($550), Asst. U.S. Atty. Arun Rao ($285.80), physician Robert Schoumacher of
Memphis ($765.94), retiree James Levernier of Memphis ($350) and Shelby
County government staffer Ceceria Nickols ($2,298.01).

An analysis of the top Democrats contributions by the Washington-based
non-partisan Campaign Finance Institute shows that about half of Clinton's
35,263 individual contributions came from donors giving the maximum $2,300
for the primary season. By contrast, Obama raised 47 percent of his 68,534
individual contributions in the fourth quarter from donors giving $200 or
less.

The difference, the institute suggests, may mean that many Clinton
supporters were legally "maxed out" before the primaries got under way.

On the Republican side, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee raised $6.6
million in the fourth quarter, for a total of $8.9 million, with help from
Shelby County government CPA Derrick Bennett of Cordova ($250), FedEx
marketing director David Bishop of Cordova ($500), Memphian Margie
Carothers, who works with the Southern Baptist Convention Missions Board,
($275); gastroenterologist Edward L. and homemaker Susanne Cattau of
Collierville ($2,300 each); homemaker Melissa Crenshaw of Millington
($1,000) and Memphis City Schools teacher Kathy Herron of Germantown ($300).

An analysis of Huckabee's 8,574 fourth-quarter donors indicates he raised
$32,377 from 44 donors in Shelby County. In addition, Shawn Troxel of
Brighton, 27, a self-described "numbers guy" at a logistics company,
dribbled in 23 separate contributions to Huckabee for a total of $1,122.32.

Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain raised $6.8 million in the fourth
quarter, for a total of $37.4 million, with contributions from Memphis
homemakers Carol M. Aronoff ($1,342) and Margaret R. Gunther ($350) and
retiree Mrs. R.F. Averwater ($275).

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney raised $9 million in the fourth
quarter, for a total of $53.9 million (not including a $35.3 million loan he
gave his campaign) with help from Cordova registered nurse Delsa Davis
($550), FedEx pilot Harry Klepko ($385), consultant Jane O. Pierotti of
Memphis ($250), marketing executive Wayne A. Podgorski of Cordova and Sun
Capital vice president Michael P. Donahoe of Collierville.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul raised $19.9 million in the fourth quarter, for a
total of $28.1 million, with the financial assistance of William D. Boyer of
Memphis ($939.90), Internet marketer Tony D. Phan of Cordova ($464),
accountant Fred R. Bickel of Memphis ($336) and Charles K. Bassett of
Collierville ($395). Analyst James P. Farrell of Memphis donated $17.76 to
the campaign on Nov. 17 to bring his total to $493.04.

*Contact Washington correspondent Bartholomew Sullivan at (202) 408-2726.*