Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Matsui, Rockefeller to Raise Party Funds

The Democratic Party took the unusual step of picking two members of Congress to head national fund-raising efforts for next year’s elections. Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento) and Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) were chosen not only for their contacts with big givers, officials said, but for a special mission: bashing President Bush while promoting Democratic alternatives on the campaign trail. In their new jobs, Matsui will be searching primarily for $10,000 to $15,000 contributors, and Rockefeller will be focusing on $100,000 donors, Matsui said.