Gore Accused of 'Shakedown' Fund-Raising
    (15:32 03/02/97) WASHINGTON (Reuter) - Vice President Al Gore played
   the central role in soliciting at least $40 million in campaign money
   for the Democratic Party during the 1996 election, the Washington Post
                        reported in Sunday editions.
     Through his activities, Gore built the most formidable fund-raising
    network in U.S. politics, often asking for contributions in private
    phone calls in a manner several large Democratic donors described as
    heavy handed and inappropriate for an incumbent vice president, the
                                paper said.
      Donors and party officials said fund raising and government action
     became intermingled in at least one instance, when Gore called to
       thank a Texas telecommunications executive after his firm gave
                            $100,000 to the DNC.
      The Post quoted officials saying the contribution was intended in
     part as a reward to the administration for its efforts to help the
       firm win a $36 million telecommunications contract in Mexico.
     The front-page report was based on records, documents and interviews
            with more than 100 organizers, donors and officials.
     Republicans and at least one Democrat have called for an independent
       counsel to look into the widening fund-raising controversy and
      allegations that some foreign countries like China were seeking
                             illegal influence.
     In its latest report, the Washington Post said Gore became known at
         the Democratic National Committee as the administration's
    ``soliciter-in-chief'' after President Clinton adamantly refused to
                      directly request contributions.
       Gore spokeswoman Lorraine Voles told the Post Friday, ''there is
     nothing inappropriate about the vice president calling people for
                                  money.''
          It is not illegal for a vice president to solicit campaign
    contributions, but Gore's activities were apparently unprecedented,
      the Post said, quoting other vice presidents who said they never
                          solicited contributions.
     DNC records showed that Gore also played a traditional fund-raising
   role in attending 39 events as the principal attraction, raising $8.74
                      million in 1995-96 for the DNC.
       He was the main attraction at 23 White House coffees and joined
   Clinton at another eight. He also used the vice president's residence
       for a number of activities, including a key fund-raiser for 50
       supporters who had already raised at least $100,000, the Post
                                 reported.
      The Post quoted DNC officials and donors as saying Gore raised at
   least $40 million of the $180 million raised by the DNC in 1995-1996.
      James Hormel, chairman of Equidex Inc., told the Post Gore called
       him in October 1995 to ask for a donation to a DNC advertising
            campaign, citing ``a sense of urgency'' to the call.
        Another executive who declined to be identified recalled Gore
   phoning and saying, ``I've been tasked with raising $2 million by the
                  end of the week and you're on my list.''
     The donor, a longtime Gore friend and supporter, gave $100,000, but
     said he felt pressured by the vice president's sale pitch. ``It's
                       revolting,'' he told the Post.
     Another executive said, ``There were elements of a shakedown in the
     call. It was very awkward. For a vice president, particularly this
   vice president who has real power and is the heir apparent, to ask for
    money gave me no choice. I have so much business that touches on the
       federal government -- the telecommunications act, tax policy,
                regulations galore,'' according to the Post.
      The donor said he sent the DNC a check for $100,000.