At least 17 Republicans and seven Democrats are contemplating presidential bids in 2000, truly astonishing numbers. But look for those totals to plummet by early next year. The reason: money.
Stan Huckaby, an Alexandria (Va.)-based Republican consultant who has made a specialty of studying presidential campaign finances, estimates that a top-tier candidate will need to raise $20 million-$22 million in 1999 to be competitive. Others say a candidate might be able to get by on $10 million-$15 million. How hard is it to raise that kind of money? A $20 million effort would require a fund-raising pace of $54,795 a day, or $2,283 an hour.
Vice President Al Gore can easily raise $20 million next year, but for House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt, D-Mo., $10 million-$15 million seems more realistic. Sen. Robert Kerrey, D-Neb., and former Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., also might be able to reach that mid-level, while Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., a less skillful fund raiser, would have to decide whether to tap into the fortune of his wife, Teresa Heinz. Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone of
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.