US President George W. Bush, leaving his predecessor's political fund-raising records in the dust, is in Texas to meet his top financial backers to energize them ahead of upcoming congressional elections.
Mr Bush is to meet at a neighbor's ranch in Crawford with members of his 214-strong "Pioneers" club, each of whom raised at least $100,000 for his 2000 presidential campaign.
Top White House and Republican party operatives will be on hand at the Broken Spoke Ranch for the event, which the party describes as a chance to cultivate the backers.
"This is a way for him to say thanks to these people for all the help that they've given to him and the party over the years," Republican party spokeswoman Ms Mindy Tucker said. "We want to continue to cultivate those relationships."
This year's congressional elections - which have kept Mr Bush busy raising money in recent weeks including during his August break from Washington - are sure to be discussed, she said, insisting "there's no direct appeal of any sort" for money.
Mr Bush is reported to have raised more than $100 million since taking office in January 2001, more than any other president after 19 months in office.
In the process he broke the record for a single event set in 2000 by former President Bill Clinton with a $26.5 million fund-raiser.
Mr Bush raised some $33 million at an event in May. In June he raised $30 million at a fund-raiser that prompted Democrats to criticize the party for selling a photo of Bush aboard Air Force One during the September 11th attacks on the United States.
Analysts say the Bush records reflect a growing awareness by political parties of the fund-raising power of the presidency, and willingness by presidents to capitalize on it.
The money is likely to give Republicans an advantage in this year's elections to decide control of both houses of Congress. Republicans want to boost their slim majority in the House and regain control of the Senate.