OBSCENE: B* increased Clinton Inaug. donation lmts. from $100 to $250,000

[Karenca]

By JEANNE CUMMINGS, Staff Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON (Jan. 11) --
Extended inauguration events are a relatively new phenomenon. The first inaugural ball was held by President James Madison in 1809 and tickets were sold at the door. Nearly 30 years ago, President Jimmy Carter's inaugural events cost just $3.5 million, and were underwritten by private contributors. President Ronald Reagan is credited with revamping the occasion, adding parties and shifting proceedings to the U.S. Capitol's west front to make a better television image. His first inauguration cost a then-historic $19.4 million, and the second just about the same. President George H.W. Bush's 1989 inauguration cost roughly $30 million. President Clinton raised roughly the same amount for his 1993 bash.

Presidents Reagan, H.W. Bush and Clinton financed their inaugurations with "interest-free loans," limited to about $100,000 apiece, from wealthy backers and businesses. That money presumably was paid back through sales of memorabilia and inaugural-ball tickets, but there is no way to verify that since there were no disclosure requirements.

Mr. Clinton's second inauguration came amid a flurry of scandals related to political contributions and his administration limited inaugural donations to $100. Mr. Bush's 2001 inaugural marked the return of loans and donations from big givers, and his supporters raised about $40 million, in part from almost 200 companies and individuals who gave a maximum donation of $100,000.

This year, the inaugural committee has increased the maximum donation to $250,000. Those giving that amount receive a packet of tickets to dinners with Vice President Dick Cheney and Mr. Bush and access to all inaugural balls except the Commander-in-Chief ball, which is exclusively for military families, organizers say.

Full Article:--
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[gristy]

1. except the Commander-in-Chief ball...

Separate parties, huh? My guess *'s rich backers wouldn't want to go anyways. All those pissed off parents...

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. He had to make such an excessive increase. Because he doesn't have

enough real friends to make up the deficit.

[me b zola]

5. Well,

the only friends that count are the 1%ers.

Just more of the same arrogance that we have had to endure--I can't wait until he chokes on it.

[Chi]

3. Here is a link for non-AOL'ers

Piece it together, I don't know other ways to get a long link to work.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,
SB110540332693522199-Ihjg4NhlaJ4nJyrZXyHcaaGm4,00.html

[stray cat]

4. Yet he makes Washinton DC tax payers pay for all the security.

What is the DC taxpayer bill - 15 million?

[me b zola]

7. I think that they should sue him for the bill

Really.

Seriously.

[ooglymoogly]

6. oooooh dinner with dick chaney wow

i think dinner with lon chaney as the mummy would be more interesting, though they are about the same from a photographic op. standpoint