For 2008, Candidates Need People Who Know People

For 2008, Candidates Need People Who Know People

By CHRISTOPHER COOPER
June 21, 2007; Page A1
The Wall St. Journal

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Bundlers have been associated with presidential bids for decades, but their worth is on the rise in the age of campaign-finance reform. With corporate contributions virtually eliminated -- and individual contributions capped at $2,300 per candidate through the presidential primary season and another $2,300 in the general election -- it's up to bundlers to raise the tens of millions of dollars candidates need for a realistic shot at the White House.

The most well-connected bundlers can bring in $100,000 or more, and campaigns vie for the best. On the Republican side, candidates are wooing the 600 or so bundlers who raised $100,000 or more for President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election. Democrats make aggressive plays for longtime operatives such as Mr. Heckler, who, despite his youth, was a top fund-raiser for 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry.

Mr. Bush is widely credited with elevating the role, creating an air of exclusivity by dubbing six-figure consolidators "Rangers" and "Pioneers." Republican Rudy Giuliani has his "All-Stars" and "Sluggers," while Fred Thompson has his "First Day Founders."

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Many bundlers are well-known lobbyists or business leaders, driven by a desire to gain influence with a future White House, a government post, or perhaps an ambassadorship. Other Clinton bundlers include supermarket billionaire Ron Burkle, former ambassador and banker Carl Spielvogel and New York hedge fund executive Steven Rattner.

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