In a sign of potential money woes, Rudy Giuliani has fired his presidential campaign's chief fundraiser and brought in a top rainmaker for President Bush, The Daily News has learned. Anne Dunsmore, who took control of Giuliani's day-to-day fundraising operation in May, has been replaced by Jim Lee, a Texas money man and Bush ally who is already one of Giuliani's national finance co-chairs.
"Anne Dunsmore is no longer working on our campaign," Giuliani communications chief Katie Levinson confirmed. "We thank Anne for her service and the departure is amicable."
Added Dunsmore in a statement: "I continue to believe Rudy Giuliani is the strongest candidate in the race and I strongly support him for president."
Coming just days before Sunday's filing deadline, when candidates are expected to report how much money they've raised over the last three months, the departure suggests that Giuliani is less than happy with his most recent haul.
Insiders declined to estimate how much money the former mayor would report, saying only that they remained confident that Giuliani will have the resources he needs to get his message out.
But they suggested that Dunsmore's departure was less about money and more about personality differences and strategic visions within the campaign.
A former top fundraiser for California Gov. Pete Wilson - who is due to endorse Giuliani tomorrow in California - Dunsmore raised a hefty $17 million for Giuliani during the three months that ended July 1.
While considerably less than the top Democrats, that was more than any other Republican in that period and helped to establish Giuliani as the race's GOP front-runner.
With more than 30 years of fundraising experience and five presidential campaigns under her belt, Dunsmore was considered a good get for Giuliani, who may now have to worry about her going over to the other side.
In the past, she has worked closely with GOP rival Mitt Romney and has always said nice things about the former Massachusetts governor.
Poster Comment:
I assume the 3rd Quarter shake downs are less than stellar?