(Newser)
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Barack Obama’s political efforts haven’t run purely on grassroots fuel: almost 100 families that gave $100,000 or more made up an “elite” group of repeat donors over the past 2 years, the Washington Post reports. Current donation rules make whopping contributions possible if donors distribute funds among several committees. About a quarter of Obama’s political cash, meanwhile, came from donors of $200 or less.
Big-time donors included Steven Spielberg and his wife, who gave $163,900, baseball great Ernie Banks and his wife, and the Rockefeller family. But while those with deep pockets might be rewarded with tickets to swank Inaugural galas, “nothing has ever led any donor to believe they will have special access to President-elect Obama,” said a spokeswoman.
