Republican fund-raising gala makes $33m in one night

As if $33m (£23m) from a single night's fund-raising was not enough, the Republicans are trying to raise more money by offering a picture of President George Bush in action on 11 September – and the Democrats are beside themselves in righteous indignation.

The object of their fury is a letter from the Republican campaign committee for Nov-ember's mid-term elections offering donors a "specially commissioned, individually numbered and matted" set of three photos featuring "the defining moments of the George W Bush Presidency" for $150. The pictures include one of President Bush speaking on the phone to Vice- President Dick Cheney from Air Force One on the day of the terrorist attacks.

The pictures storm blew up as the Republicans counted the proceeds from a record-shattering black tie Presidential gala in Washington DC.

Given that such "soft money" events are now outlawed by the Campaign Finance Reform Bill, signed by a reluctant Mr Bush, the single fund raiser take of $33m will probably never be surpassed.

It is far in excess of the $26.5m raised by a Clinton/ Gore event in 2000. Tuesday night's gala was "anchored" by 19 donors who gave $500,000 each and 56 "vice-chairmen" – mainly corporations – who gave $250,000 apiece.

The outrage from Demo-crats at the Bush pictures plan was instant. Al Gore, loser to Mr Bush in 2000 and a veteran of many a campaign finance rumpus, called it "a disgraceful attempt to capitalise on one of the most tragic moments in our nation's history".