Lawmakers in safe seats raise huge sums

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By Jim McElhatton

EXCLUSIVE:

If you believe the polls, plenty of lawmakers are in jeopardy of losing their seats on Election Day. But some of the biggest raisers of campaign cash are the members of Congress whose re-elections are considered a safe bet.

At golf outings, bird-hunting trips and even a Janet Jackson concert, big-money donors have been asked this month to help lawmakers who are in little danger of defeat but who seek to retain their positions in the congressional hierarchy or move up to more powerful slots.

The money is being collected by the lawmakers' re-election campaigns and by separate entities whose name well describes their real purpose - leadership committees. The lawmakers lucky enough to rake in large surpluses then dole out donations to colleagues who, in turn, back their moves up the congressional ladder.

Among this month's notable fundraisers, Republican Rep. J. Gresham Barrett of South Carolina, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, had a golf outing planned at the Sage Valley Golf Course in Graniteville, S.C., one of the top-ranked courses in the country. He has raised more than $1 million for his re-election bid, compared with less than $60,000 by his challenger, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

A chance to mingle with Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, was listed as the big draw for donors who were invited to attend a Janet Jackson concert at the Verizon Center in the District last week. Another fundraiser included invitations to Sunday's Washington Redskins game.

"It shows the party goes on, even when these folks don't have to raise a lot of campaign cash," said Nancy Watzman of the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation, which tracks congressional fundraising parties. "The bigger your campaign PAC, the more powerful and formidable you seem."

A spokesman for Mr. Barrett said fundraising is an important way to reach voters. "Campaigns require resources, and this one is no different," Barrett spokesman B.J. Boling said. "Congressman Barrett is committed to communicating his conservative principles and proven track record with voters.

"Complying with FEC reporting requirements is important because it ensures complete transparency for anyone interested in who is contributing to the congressman's campaign," Mr. Boling said.

However, experts say the big fundraising totals make challengers less willing to run against well-heeled incumbent members of Congress.