Bob Tuke's senate campaign has released its first quarter fundraising report. The report notes that with Tuke's late entry, the campaign only had 27 fundraising days, but the results are impressive:
• Total Dollars Raised to Date: $264,633.33
• Number of Donors: 569
• Percentage of Money Raised Online: 17%
• Percentage Contributed by Individuals: 99%
• Total Reported on 1st Quarter FEC Report: $225,533.33
The campaign also announced the latest endorsements for Bob Tuke, which include Senator John Kerry, General Wesley Clark, Joe Haynes, TN State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Gary Odom, TN State Representative and House Majority Leader, Lois DeBerry, TN State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore, and State Representatives Charles Curtiss, Brenda Gilmore, Bill Harmon, Mary Pruitt, Johnny Shaw, David Shepard, Janis Sontany, Mike Turner, and Eddie Yokley.
Commemorating tax day, Bob Tuke also notes some facts about the Republican record on taxes which Sen. Lamar Alexander has supported.
• The typical tax payer in America is responsible for $1,085 to pay the interest on the Federal debt. The tab for the War in Iraq is $593 for the typical taxpayer.
• Last year, taxpayers spent more on tax breaks to millionaires than hospital and health care for veterans or K-12 education funding.
• For every $1 in tax relief to the middle class, $108 was given to millionaires.
• Bush's budget calls for continuing these failed tax policies. In fact, he's calling for another $1.2 trillion to be given back to the wealthiest 1% of American households.
• One of Bush's top economic advisors said of their tax record, there is "no credible evidence" that "tax revenues rise in the face of lower tax rates." (The Hamilton Project 9/6/07)
Meanwhile, Sen. Lamar Alexander has today called for a "flat tax" of 17%. Of course Sen. Alexander would prefer to pay only half of what he pays now. Who wouldn't? The problem is that he wants middle class working families to make up the difference by paying more.