Inaugural fund-raisers set goal of up to $50m
WASHINGTON -- The team raising money for President Bush's inaugural festivities plans to raise $40 million to $50 million, with much of the money coming from six-figure donors.
The committee is offering ''underwriter" packages for $250,000 and ''sponsor" packages for $100,000. Each includes tickets to an array of events featuring Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and their families.
The committee plans to raise money from corporations and individuals to finance galas and other festivities Jan. 20 and the days leading up to the inauguration.
''You or your corporation will be recognized on all printed materials," fliers listing the sponsorship benefits promise.
The $250,000 underwriters will get four seats to Bush's swearing-in ceremony, 10 VIP seats at the inaugural parade, two tickets to an underwriters' luncheon featuring Bush and Cheney, and 20 seats at candlelight dinners that will take place simultaneously at three locations in Washington, with appearances by Bush, his wife, Laura, as well as Cheney and his wife, Lynne.
They will also get 10 seats at the gala called ''America's
The $100,000 givers will be feted at a sponsors' reception featuring the president and vice president and get two tickets to the president's swearing-in, along with tickets to the candlelight dinners, youth concert, salute to soldiers, balls and other events. They have access to most of the same events as the $250,000 donors, but will get fewer tickets.
The inaugural committee can collect unlimited contributions from any source except foreigners. Bush's campaign could accept only limited donations from individuals and political action committees. Banned were corporate, union, unlimited, and foreign donations.
