AP: More Than Half of Bush Coffers Spent

[DrFunkenstein]

WASHINGTON - President Bush has spent seven of every $10 he has raised for his re-election campaign, more than half of it on television ads, and is asking supporters for more money. Bush spent about $152 million through May and began this month with $63 million in the bank.

Bush has collected at least $218 million since he began fund raising in May 2003, easily outpacing Democratic rival John Kerry. But Kerry raised about $25 million to Bush's $13 million in May as the president scaled back his record-setting drive to hold fund-raisers for other Republicans.

Kerry is setting party fund-raising records with more than $100 million raised and is also benefiting from pro-Democratic groups spending millions on anti-Bush ads and voter outreach.

The Bush campaign plans to leave the airwaves for several days beginning late next week. The campaign is targeting ads toward times it feels the public is tuning in. Kerry will remain on the air.

"I need your help again," Bush wrote. "Your continued support today will mean the difference in a close election. I hope you will make a donation of $2,000, $1,000, $500, $250 or even $100 or $50 today."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=11&u=/ap/presidential_money