Jack Oliver, a lobbyist with Bryan Cave Strategies, is one of the Republican Party's most successful fundraisers. He previously served as a staffer for John Ashcroft when he was a senator from Missouri, and also for Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO). Since then, Oliver has been national finance director for Bush for President, deputy chairman of the RNC, and the national finance vice chairman for President Bush's re-election campaign.[1] He is also said to be close with Rush Limbaugh and Karl Rove,[2] and holds the position as senior advisor to Lehman Bros.[3] His fundraising abilities and close ties to senior Republicans have at times caused controversy.
During the Abramoff scandal it was reported that he held at least two meetings with the disgraced lobbyist related to his Mariana Islands accounts,[4] and after the 2000 election a major contributor wrote a public letter accusing Oliver of reneging on a promise to get him a major ambassadorship.[5] Recent clients include Shell, Ameren, Ernst & Young, Northwest Airlines, Verizon, Anheuser Busch and the Financial Services Forum.[6] As a bundler, he has raised at least $500,000 for McCain's presidential campaign, according to information released by the campaign.[7]
For a complete look at Jack Oliver's lobbying activities, please visit the non-partisan Center For Responsive Politics' money-in-politics database.
[1] Jonathan E. Kaplan, "Oliver: The Good Son Comes Home," The Hill, June 21, 2005.
[2] Matthew Cooper and Michael Weisskopf, "Bush's Brigadier of Bucks", Time, June 30, 2003.
[3] Jonathan E. Kaplan, "Lobbyist Oliver sits out '08 primaries," The Hill, March 9, 2007.
[4] Sharon Theimer, "Lobbyist Now Under Investigation Had Close Contact With Bush Team," The Associated Press, May 6, 2005.
[5] Sharon Theimer, "Letter Says Donor Was Promised Ambassadorship," The Associated Press, February 15, 2005.
[6] U.S. Secretary of the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, accessed May 13, 2008.
[7] McCain campaign Web site, accessed July 16, 2008.