Swift Boat Veterans for Phat Cash

The swifties get cash. Lots and lots of cash.

The largest contributor was T. Boone Pickens, a famous Texas oilman and longtime Republican supporter who was a major political backer of Mr. Bush's father, who gave $500,000 to the Swift boat group. Aubrey McClendon, chief executive of Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma, gave $250,000; Bob Perry, another Bush supporter from Texas, gave $200,000 to seed the group; and Albert Huddleston, a Texas energy executive who has raised money for Mr. Bush, gave $100,000, records show.

Sam Wyly, the wealthy Texas entrepreneur who financed commercials attacking Senator John McCain in the 2000 Republican primary against Mr. Bush, also made the list at $10,000 , as did his brother Charles, records show. At least two Swift boat donors are also listed as Bush Pioneers, meaning they raised at least $100,000 for Mr. Bush.

"The words 'tidal wave' come to mind,'' said Mike Russell, a spokesman for the group, who added that "you don't often see that type of grassroots reaction." (emphasis mine)

Yes, I often think of "grassroots" when I hear that donations are coming in with at least 4 zeros to the left of the decimal point.