Hightower Lowdown

Following in the footsteps of Bill Clinton, Little George Bush made his debut as Fundraiser-in-Chief at the Republican Party's recent "Presidential Gala," at which giddy corporate execs and lobbyists—who've been feasting on the Bush administration's largesse—gratefully poured $24 million into the GOP's coffers.

Co-chairs of the Gala ponied up $500,000 each, vice chairs came in with $250,000 each, and deputy chairs paid $100,000 each.

Taking a page from the Clinton fund-raising playbook, Bush operatives sold special access to top government officials. If you wanted to sit next to the Cabinet member of your choice, no problem—just write your request on the back of a $100,000 check!

Bush's money collectors also sold entry into the Vice President's mansion—the very same thing they scolded Al Gore for doing last year. About 300 top donors were treated to a dinner with Cheney at the veep's mansion, and the Bushies—in very Clintonian terms—drew a fine legal line around their use of government property to stroke their Big Money boys. No money changed hands inside the residence, they explained, so it technically "was not a fund-raiser" and "was completely proper."

And these guys boast about restoring honor and integrity to the presidency.