October 15, 1999
Web posted at: 5:32 p.m. EDT (2132 GMT)

WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential challenger Bill Bradley maintained a slight lead in fund-raising over Vice President Al Gore from July to September, according to new reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

But both were overshadowed by Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who continued his record-setting pace by taking in $20.2 million for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Bradley reported raising $7.4 million between July 1 and September 30 with Gore slightly behind at $7.3 million. Bradley, a former senator from New Jersey, also reported more money in the bank at the end of September, $10.7 million to Gore's $10.3 million.

To date, Gore has raised $24.9 million to Bradley's $18.9 million.

"We are very pleased with our fund-raising efforts so far," Gore campaign spokesman Roger Salazar said. "With the matching funds and the number of low-dollar donors, we're very close to completing the fund-raising portion of the campaign."

When estimates were released last month that showed Bradley had raised more money than Gore, the vice president labeled himself the "underdog" in Democratic contest. He also changed his strategy by moving his campaign headquarters from Washington to his home state of Tennessee and challenging Bradley to a series of debates.

Gore had previously ignored Bradley and focused on Bush, the GOP front-runner.

Gore's average donation was $187, while Bradley's was $334. Bradley also reported raising more than $472,000 through his campaign web site between June and September, bringing his Internet fund-raising total to more than $772,000.

"The steady growth in fund-raising support we have received, particularly through our direct mail program and our web site, is indicative of the increasing enthusiasm we are seeing at the grassroots level across the country," said Bradley campaign chairman Douglas Berman.

On the Republican side, Bush has continued his record-setting financial efforts and ended with $37.3 million in the bank as of September 30. His total fund-raising now stands at more than $57 million, easily outdistancing his GOP primary challengers and more than any presidential candidate has ever had to spend on a campaign for the White House. His average contribution was $386.

"I am honored that so many Americans are supporting my message of rebuilding the military, modernizing Social Security and Medicare, improving America's public schools and cutting taxes," Bush said Friday.

Bush's closest competitor was Arizona Sen. John McCain, who trailed far behind by raising $3 million during the last three months, bringing his total to $9.3 million. That includes $2 million transferred from his Senate campaign account.

McCain raised $64,000 via the Internet during the last four days of September, after sending out an e-mail seeking last-minute contributions. "We must continue the momentum we have shown in the press and the polls by showing continued fund-raising strength," McCain wrote in the e-mail.

Republicans Gary Bauer, Patrick Buchanan, Elizabeth Dole, Steve Forbes and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah each raised more than $1 million from July to September. Alan Keyes raised $500,000.

McCain had $2 million in his campaign bank account as of September 30 while Forbes had $1.4 million.

Forbes raised an estimated $1.4 million over the last three months, bringing his total to $4.2 million through September 30. Forbes, a multimillionaire publisher who is financing most of his campaign on his own, also spent about $15 million of his personal funds.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Friday, October 15, 1999

• Sources: Ray to take over Starr's position next week
• The new Al Gore
• Senate to debate proposed soft money ban
• Bradley raises slightly more money than Gore
• Two tribal officials plead guilty to campaign finance charges
• President honors agents who protect him
• Senator accuses HUD of manipulating investigation
• Former Nixon adviser dies of cancer
• Drug policy director angered by suggestion of lack of cooperation
• Clinton calls Senate cuts 'unconscionable'

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