Post by RS Davis on Jan 31, 2004 14:58:42 GMT -5
Amazon donors put him second only to Kerry...
By JOHN COOK
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Amazon.com shoppers prefer Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, though they are also supporting a relatively unknown Libertarian candidate
and former radio talk show host by the name of Gary Nolan.
Last week, the Seattle online retailer began accepting campaign donations on behalf of 10 presidential candidates. With just one click, Amazon.com customers who reside in the United States and are of legal voting age can donate as much as $200 to each of their
favorite candidates.
As of midnight, Kerry -- the Democratic front-runner and Vietnam War veteran -- was in the lead with 454 donations totaling $15,562. But Nolan was not far behind, registering $10,972 from 349 donors.
Nolan's surprising surge put the 49-year-old Cleveland resident ahead of many better-known politicians, including Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who had raised $210 from 10 contributors, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who had raised $690 from 31 supporters.
Nolan, an opponent of the USA Patriot Act, the income tax and foreign military bases, was energized by the support.
"I think it is a terrific idea and it benefits my candidacy, but it also benefits Amazon.com," Nolan said. "It is a win-win."
Asked why he thought so many Amazon.com shoppers were supporting him, Nolan said his message resonates with disenfranchised voters who feel betrayed by the major political parties in the country. But he also
expressed a bit of astonishment that he was in second place. "Yeah, I guess it is a little surprising," he said. "We didn't expect it to happen so fast."
In a close raise for third place, retired Gen. Wesley Clark was slightly ahead of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Clark had raised $7,530 to Dean's $7,367, but the former governor had more donors.
Contributions were not yet being accepted for President Bush, although the candidate did offer a statement outlining his plans for the economy, the environment and other issues.
This is the first time that Amazon.com has solicited donations on behalf of presidential candidates. The company is not endorsing any of the politicians, who were chosen based on documents filed with the
Federal Election Commission.
Amazon.com, which boasts 39 million customers, set up the site as a way to simplify campaign donations.
"We're making it as easy for people to contribute as it is to buy the latest Harry Potter," the company says on the site, which can be located through the home page.
Company spokesman Chris Bruzzo said he doesn't have any theories as to why Nolan was doing so well. He said the site was an experiment.
"We wanted to step back and watch what happened," said Bruzzo. "We are looking at this and seeing how our customers are responding. And it is fascinating."
By JOHN COOK
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Amazon.com shoppers prefer Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, though they are also supporting a relatively unknown Libertarian candidate
and former radio talk show host by the name of Gary Nolan.
Last week, the Seattle online retailer began accepting campaign donations on behalf of 10 presidential candidates. With just one click, Amazon.com customers who reside in the United States and are of legal voting age can donate as much as $200 to each of their
favorite candidates.
As of midnight, Kerry -- the Democratic front-runner and Vietnam War veteran -- was in the lead with 454 donations totaling $15,562. But Nolan was not far behind, registering $10,972 from 349 donors.
Nolan's surprising surge put the 49-year-old Cleveland resident ahead of many better-known politicians, including Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who had raised $210 from 10 contributors, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who had raised $690 from 31 supporters.
Nolan, an opponent of the USA Patriot Act, the income tax and foreign military bases, was energized by the support.
"I think it is a terrific idea and it benefits my candidacy, but it also benefits Amazon.com," Nolan said. "It is a win-win."
Asked why he thought so many Amazon.com shoppers were supporting him, Nolan said his message resonates with disenfranchised voters who feel betrayed by the major political parties in the country. But he also
expressed a bit of astonishment that he was in second place. "Yeah, I guess it is a little surprising," he said. "We didn't expect it to happen so fast."
In a close raise for third place, retired Gen. Wesley Clark was slightly ahead of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Clark had raised $7,530 to Dean's $7,367, but the former governor had more donors.
Contributions were not yet being accepted for President Bush, although the candidate did offer a statement outlining his plans for the economy, the environment and other issues.
This is the first time that Amazon.com has solicited donations on behalf of presidential candidates. The company is not endorsing any of the politicians, who were chosen based on documents filed with the
Federal Election Commission.
Amazon.com, which boasts 39 million customers, set up the site as a way to simplify campaign donations.
"We're making it as easy for people to contribute as it is to buy the latest Harry Potter," the company says on the site, which can be located through the home page.
Company spokesman Chris Bruzzo said he doesn't have any theories as to why Nolan was doing so well. He said the site was an experiment.
"We wanted to step back and watch what happened," said Bruzzo. "We are looking at this and seeing how our customers are responding. And it is fascinating."
