It's a lot of money. ... I think it shows that the party is serious about keeping the seat.

We had it just to have a party, and since we were having a party, we wanted the money to go to a good cause. Now I think the fundraising for CARC is what's really important, it's what's taken over.

Bush raised money up to that level, then stopped and allowed the party to take over the funding of the campaign and the advertising. After that point, public financing in Florida has not really been doing what it was meant to do in the beginning.

We don't see any trace of that money in the Quebec Liberal Party.

Bush had already sucked up most of the establishment money in the party nationally by the Ames event and once the results were in, that well ran completely dry for Dole, Quayle and Alexander,

Giving money to a candidate or a party that is sure to lose is not as politically useful as giving money to a candidate or a party where your contribution might make a difference. Catching up when you're the party out of power is always harder.