ABC World News Tonight said "there has never been more money in presidential politics than in the race between President Bush and Senator Kerry. Political fund-raising to help the candidates get elected now totals more than $1 billion. And Election Day is still more than two months away. . . . So far, the Bush/Cheney campaign raised a record smashing $240 million. Kerry/Edwards, $233 million. The first election under new campaign finance laws designed to limit big money in politics but large donors are still giving, their money redirected to independent groups, such as. . .Swift Boat Veterans attacking John Kerry and the liberal MoveOn.org." $145 million have gone "to independent groups tied to Democrats compared to $9 million so far to Republican tied groups. Most political observers would have expected Republicans to have a big money advantage in this election. But if you include all that money flowing to independent groups. . .Democrats will actually have more money this time than Republicans."

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