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Corker taps fortune for $1.7 million [US Senate primary in Tennessee]
Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 7/20/6 | staff

Posted on 07/20/2006 12:33:08 PM PDT by SmithL

NASHVILLE — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Corker revealed today that he has put more than $1.7 million of his own money into his campaign.

Under federal campaign financing laws, that triggers the so-called "millionaires amendment" and means that other candidates in the GOP primary may now raise and spend more money.

There are two main effects:

The normal $2,100 per person, per election limit on campaign donations to candidates is lifted. According to Jennifer Coxe, campaign manager for Van Hilleary, the formula involved means that Corker's opponents may now receive up to $12,600 from each donor.

Federal law also requires that candidates, in normal situations, keep funds in separate accounts for the primary and general elections. Funds donated for the general election money cannot be spent in the primary. When the millionaire's amendment is triggered, however, that restriction is lifted and the general election money may be spent immediately.

The net result: all three campaigns may now be spending far more than previously, mostly on television advertising.

Here's a statement from Corker on his move that was provided by his campaign this morning:

"In order to keep the negative tactics of others in this race from affecting the hard work of thousands of volunteers, activists and supporters who have worked so hard on this campaign, I have decided to make a significant personal contribution to the campaign.

"Whether it was starting my own business with $8,000 in savings, helping lead the creation of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, or leading the effort to transform Chattanooga's waterfront, I have always personally contributed to causes I believe in. This campaign is no different."

The Corker campaign has already spent far more than his chief rivals combined, reporting $6.6 million in receipts before the candidate's own $1,745,000 was added to the pile

In the Corker campaign statement, his campaign manager, Ben Mitchell says: "Unfortunately, Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary publicly announced sometime ago that they would use their combined financial resources to attack Bob Corker exclusively. As a result, it became clear that additional resources would be necessary to ensure the record was set straight."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: bryant; campaignfinance; corker; election2006; electioncongress; hilleary; ussenate

1 posted on 07/20/2006 12:33:12 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Me must be a real corker.

Couldn't resist.


2 posted on 07/20/2006 12:34:45 PM PDT by RexBeach ("There is no substitute for victory." -Douglas MacArthur)
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To: RexBeach

Me s/b He


3 posted on 07/20/2006 12:35:03 PM PDT by RexBeach ("There is no substitute for victory." -Douglas MacArthur)
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To: RexBeach

Maybe you real corker too.
; )


4 posted on 07/20/2006 12:38:12 PM PDT by SmithL (The fact that they can't find Hoffa is proof that he never existed.)
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To: SmithL

Well, you know, you're right. I descend from a very long line of corkers!


5 posted on 07/20/2006 12:41:19 PM PDT by RexBeach ("There is no substitute for victory." -Douglas MacArthur)
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To: SmithL

I'm in for $2 million


6 posted on 07/20/2006 12:44:15 PM PDT by Uncledave
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To: RexBeach
He must be a real corker.

He's a RINO is what he is. This isn't the guy Tennessee needs in the Senate......and Tennessee really needs some good Senators. The current crop is a dismal failure.

7 posted on 07/20/2006 1:09:56 PM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: SmithL

Do these candidates have a platform statement somewhere?


8 posted on 07/20/2006 1:31:55 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: Thermalseeker

Corker is a Rhino. Ed Bryant is the perfect choice for Tennessee.If only Van Hillery had pulled out,Bryant would have had a bigger shot of winning. Bryant and Van Hillery have really split the true conserative vote.Still,if Corker wins,I will support him over JR.


9 posted on 07/20/2006 2:04:46 PM PDT by Jen from Tn.
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To: DannyTN

Just go to their websites.


10 posted on 07/20/2006 2:05:34 PM PDT by Jen from Tn.
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To: Jen from Tn.
Still,if Corker wins,I will support him over JR

I think Bryant will be the winner in the primaries. There is no way Harold Ford, Jr. will get elected to the Senate in the general election. No way.....he might be able to carry a House District in Memphis, but the rest of the state will not send him to the Senate. Ford is dreaming.

11 posted on 07/20/2006 2:24:18 PM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: Thermalseeker

"He must be a real corker.

"He's a RINO is what he is. This isn't the guy Tennessee needs in the Senate......and Tennessee really needs some good Senators. The current crop is a dismal failure."

You're right. We have a chance this year to replace one of our CINO Senators with a conservative. But that won't happen if the Cork wins.


12 posted on 07/20/2006 2:29:42 PM PDT by reelfoot
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To: reelfoot
But that won't happen if the Cork wins

Despite what Corker's ads are saying, he really isn't that popular in Chattanooga. I doubt he'll carry the majority of the voters here.

13 posted on 07/20/2006 2:47:49 PM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: Thermalseeker
Corker is a cry baby. He said he had to write the $1.7 million dollar check to his campaign because Bryant and Hilleary were being mean to him. If Corker is elected, it is proof that anybody can buy an election. He wasn't a great mayor and nobody outside of Chattanooga had ever heard of him. What experience does he have that qualifies him to be a senator? Oh yeah, his mother says he is a great guy. He will probably win because the conservative vote is split between Bryant and Hilleary. Thank you Mr. Hilleary. Shame on Zach Wamp and other conservatives (Doug Daugherty) for endorsing this cry baby.
14 posted on 07/20/2006 6:48:57 PM PDT by BloomNTn
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To: BloomNTn
What experience does he have that qualifies him to be a senator?

That is the same question I asked when I first heard Corker wanted to run for the Senate.

BTW, I've met Zach Wamp on several occasions and his support for Corker does not surprise me in the least. They are cut from the same mold.....

15 posted on 07/21/2006 5:27:32 AM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: Thermalseeker

I hope so!


16 posted on 07/21/2006 6:26:41 AM PDT by Jen from Tn.
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To: SmithL
Bob Corker revealed today that he has put more than $1.7 million of his own money into his campaign.

This baffles me, $1.7 million for a $200k per year job.

Yes I understand that the perks are good but are they THAT good?

That Harris woman down in Fla. has dumped over a million into her own (losing? race)

When an average citizen ponders these sorts of actions, wouldn't there be a strong pull toward the "why bother" approach when one candidate or another comes begging for dollars?
17 posted on 07/21/2006 6:34:13 AM PDT by WhiteGuy (It's about the People Who Count the Votes................. - Wally O'Dell)
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To: WhiteGuy
This baffles me, $1.7 million for a $200k per year job.

I read somewhere that Corker was a real estate developer prior to being Mayor of Chattanooga. There has been a lot of schmur going around that he used the powers of his office to enrich himself by getting certain zoning passed on property he owned and was developing.

It always puzzles me why someone would spend millions of dollars to get voted into a job that pays $150K. It really makes me wonder what the real reason they wanted to get elected because the math doesn't work for me......

18 posted on 07/21/2006 12:46:10 PM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: Jen from Tn.
I hope so!

I promise to do my part if you promise to do yours. Vote!

19 posted on 07/21/2006 12:47:26 PM PDT by Thermalseeker
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To: Thermalseeker
It always puzzles me why someone would spend millions of dollars to get voted into a job that pays $150K.

Indeed.

Another reason why I stopped contributing money (except for maybe at the local or township level) all together.

I have a hard time justifying contributing money to someone who will ultimately enrich themselves from my tax dollars........
20 posted on 07/21/2006 1:54:16 PM PDT by WhiteGuy (It's about the People Who Count the Votes................. - Wally O'Dell)
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