Reply #2: Looks like DeVos was betting on Bush [View All]

[Carolab]

Bush draws big bucks from pro-sports brass: Public records can illustrate how pro sports and politics connect. Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel explored federal election campaign finance reports to show how most Florida sports franchise owners and top athletes are putting their money behind President Bush in the presidential race. Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos of the Orlando mayor, Wayne Huizenga of the Miami Dolphins, Wayne Weaver of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Micky Arison of the Miami Heat and William Davidson of the Tampa Bay Lightning have given the maximum allowable for individuals – $2,000 – to the Bush campaign recently. “Many of their family members have done the same. Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who has deep roots in Central Florida, also have given $2,000 apiece to this Bush campaign.” The story says that of the 14 NBA owners or managing partners who contributed $2,000 under their own names and were listed with the Federal Election Commission during this 2004 presidential cycle, “nine gave to the Bush campaign, three gave to (John) Kerry, one gave to Dick Gephardt and one hedged his bets between the Rev. Al Sharpton and John Edwards.” Campaign contributions to a wide variety of federal candidates can be researched online at www.fec.gov/. The public records handbook covers state and local campaign financial reports on Page 60.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-10-26-campaign-contributions_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA