Top Giuliani Fundraiser Departs
The top fundraiser for former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has left the campaign four days before the next deadline for reporting his presidential campaign's finances.
Anne Dunsmore, who joined Giuliani's team in May, departed abruptly and will be replaced by Jim Lee, a Texas co-chair of the campaign. Lee will serve as the CEO of the finance operation with day-to-day control, a campaign aide said.
Giuliani's Communications Director Katie Levinson confirmed the change, which was first reported by Politico and The New York Daily News. "Anne Dunsmore is no longer working on our campaign," Levinson said. "We thank Anne for her service and the departure is amicable."
But one top Giuliani fundraiser said his colleagues around the country -- most of whom are wealthy volunteers -- had chafed at Dunsmore's aggressive management style.
"There was a tremendous amount of blowback from the state voluntary leadership about her style," said the fundraiser, who requested anonymity to talk openly about the campaign's finances.
The fundraiser said he does not know whether Giuliani's campaign has met their fundraising target for the third quarter, which ends on Sunday. But he said Dunsmore's departure may be an indication that they did not.
"If they had blown through their targets, the style wouldn't have mattered," he said.
Dunsmore had been a top fundraiser for former California governor Pete Wilson, who coincidentally endorsed Giuliani Wednesday. When she joined Giuliani's campaign, she acknowledged the enormity of the task: "When you have $100 million situation hitting or missing by 10 percent is giant...it's a couple of states," she told the Fix's Chris Cillizza.
Dunsmore could not be reached for comment. The campaign released a statement from Dunsmore Wednesday: "I continue to believe Rudy Giuliani is the strongest candidate in the race and I strongly support him for President."
Giuliani's success in fundraising has been key to his early success in the presidential campaign. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has raised more, but has had to dip into his personal fortune to do it.
But the Republican candidates are entering the final three months before voting begins without a clear front runner. For any of them to break out before the Iowa caucuses will require millions of dollars in advertising.
--Michael D. Shear
Posted at 5:38 PM ET on Sep 26, 2007
Share This: 
Technorati
| Tag in Del.icio.us | Digg This
Previous: McCain's Military Family Support |
Next: Romney's Lead
Slips in N.H.
Get This Widget >>
Comments
Posted by: technoguyrob | September 28, 2007 8:30 PM | Report abuse
All I keep about is Ron Paul, what he said and the money he is raising!!!
What is going on with Ron Paul???
Where is his support coming from???
Posted by: kenc9 | September 28, 2007 7:35 PM | Report abuse
This development would seem to suggest that Giuliani is not very happy with his fundraising this quarter. On the other hand, Ron Paul's fundraising appears to be on the upswing, with headquarters confirming that they will easily surpass the last quarter in receipts, and a strong internet surge which has picked up over $750,000 in less than four days. I think Giuliani and his staff may be starting to panic because of the growing challenge from competing candidate Ron Paul. What is very exciting in the fundraising arena are the new real time figures on Ron Paul's website. When someone donates online, you can see the totals increase immediately in real time. It is addicting to watch the contribution receipt total go higher and higher.
Posted by: jeff111 | September 28, 2007 7:30 PM | Report abuse
Wow. Hope Rudy G. can replace her. That Ron Paul is really doing well in his web drive to raise funds - he's going for $1 Million Dollars in one week. He's near $650G's already in just 3 days. I hear he beat Rudy in the MI GOP Leadership Straw Poll on Mackinac Island too. And Rudy had to take the boat back to the mainland with 100+ Ron Paul supporters. That was too much fun. C'mon Rudy, debate Ron head to head. You can do it!
Posted by: MIForRonPaulcom | September 28, 2007 2:21 AM | Report abuse
Hey Michael, Pete Wilson hasn't endorsed Giuliani yet. It was just reported that he may endorse him tomorrow.
Posted by: onwaj6 | September 26, 2007 7:59 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Wow. I keep hearing about this Ron Paul guy, and now this?
I checked him out more carefully, and he actually looks quite...unique. He voted against the war? Hm. I can spare a couple bucks if a Republican had the guts to be against the war from the start... Add $100 to that Ron Paul count.