For The Love of Money

Shaking down contributors vs. shaking up the system

On his way to a campaign fund raiser at a Cleveland hotel, Delaware Democrat Joseph Biden noticed that similar events were being staged for two Senate colleagues, Bill Bradley and Tom Harkin. The irony struck him: "Harkin's from Iowa, Bradley's from New Jersey, and I'm from Delaware. What are we all doing in Ohio?"

Grubbing for money, of course. Congressmen and Senators spend so much time filling their campaign war chests that Senate Democratic leader George Mitchell last year instituted a monthly one-week recess that members can devote to fund raising. Of the 31 Senators seeking re-election this year, 17 will...

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