CAPE NATIVE RAISES CASH FOR BUSH BID

The lure of political life set in at an early age for Jack Oliver. It all started with a fund-raising event for a Republican lawmaker at his father's house when he was barely 7.

Now the Cape Girardeau native is at the heart of Texas Gov. George Bush's $36 million-fund raising spree. And he's loving every minute of it.

"I'm young," said Oliver, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri law school. "But I have been doing this a long time."

Oliver, 30, got his start banging on doors and doing the grunt of campaigns. He helped with fund raising and began to build a reputation as a reliable staffer.

He has worked with former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, U.S. Sens. Christopher Bond and John Ashcroft, U.S. Rep. Jim Talent, and the late Bill Emerson. He got his start by volunteering and eventually getting paid positions. That work has paid off as he has been appointed the national financial director for Bush's bid for the presidency.

"Jack is a bright, young Christian man with a big heart," said Don Evans, national finance chairman. "He is full of passion, giving all he can for a better America."

Part of Oliver's success are his ties to the conservative community, Ashcroft said. Oliver raised more than $3 million for Ashcroft's potential presidential bid last year. He also helped to build a list of more than 120,000 donors from the senator's conservative base.

But it is not just his ability to connect with conservatives that has helped him gain success. Oliver said because he has worked for people of character, he is willing to pour himself into the challenge of getting them elected.

"The people I have worked for and been around are people of tremendously high character and they truly work to make a difference in people's lives," Oliver said. "They have given up days, hours, weeks, and time away from their families to work for the principles they believe in."

He said it is amazing the response people have shown toward Bush. The most an individual can give a presidential campaign is $1,000. He said the money Bush has raised has come from hard-working people giving small amounts to the campiagn.

The people, Oliver said, are honest citizens who believe in the message Bush has for America.

"It has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life to be around the thousands of people who want to help Gov. Bush change America," Oliver said. "Behind every check is a heart and someone who wants to do something positive for the country."

Oliver said the campaign has reached people and Bush's message of compassionate conservatism seems to have struck a nerve as people are lining up to help out the campaign. He said Bush's leadership and ability to connect with all types of people have garnered interest and excitement in his campaign.

Win or lose, Oliver said the experience has and will be a memorable one.

His path may take him to Washington D.C., but even though his location may change, Oliver said his home will always be in Cape Girardeau.

"I love being from Cape Girardeau," Oliver said. "Whether I am in St. Louis, Austin or Washington D.C., I will never forget where my home is."