The following article is an excerpt from The Philadelphia Inquirer

For 25 years, local Democrat Bill Batoff has been raising money for Democratic presidential candidates. But last year, after former . Vice President Gore shunned him at a local fund raising event and with lingering doubts about Gore's credibility, Batoff surprised some when he swung his support to Republican George W. Bush.

It was a lucky swing.

For the first time in his political fund raising career, Batoff was named to a presidential transition committee. He is working on a commerce department committee on new technology.

"I'm surprised," Batoff said. "I didn't expect any of this, nor did I request it. It sort of confirmed that 'I made the right decision."