Wow, that would be a development. The news of that would be embarrassing, and that might be worse than the gain of the additional funds.

And that's not even considering the angle raised above - just where is that money coming from? Suddenly the uranium kingpin story comes to mind.

I agree that the story could be devastating: a struggling campaign -- short of enthusiasm but desperate to win -- turns to dirty money.

Ummm-why is it that anything Hillary Clinton does immediately results in negative comments like this? Romney has pumped 35 million of his own money into his campaing and I don't hear crys of "dirty money."

Could this be one more instance of anti-Hillary gender bias? It is amazing how the same action by a man isn't criticized as harshly...

Think about it gentleman.

Obama does not take campaign contributions from lobbyists nor from political action committees. The majority of his contributions are from small donors, normal folks.

My head, heart, and soul would so much hope for a campaign like Obama to take the Presidency than one enriched my uranium sales.

Hey Don - comparing Hillary to Romney as a defense just about says it all for ya.

Back to reporters starting up rumours again! Having no facts, make them up as we go along again style of reporting!

It might look bad, but the media will get over it, and it could keep her alive. It worked for John Kerry in 2004...sure, it looked like a sign of trouble when he took out a second mortgage on his home to keep his campaign alive, but it kept him alive and he ended up winning the nomination.

As an Obama supporter, it is satisfying to see that they don't seem to be able to attract nearly as broad of a donor base, but at the same time, I'd be nervous if they decide to do this.

If Hillary takes Bill's money to fund her campaign, this is just one more bit of evidence that she has done little on her own. Who would even know who Hillary was if she had not been married to a president. On the other hand Obama has gotten to where he is on his own, the son of an immigrant, raised by a single mom and funded by the larges number of small donnars ever seen in presidential campaign. We don't need Hillery bucks at this time in our historic momment.

Don - Romney has taken loads of criticism for funding his own campaign. In fact, its the conventional wisdom answer right now for why all the other Republican candidates have developed an anyone-but-Romney attitude. Don't know if that's true, but that is the prevailing interpretation.

Yes, Romney put lots of his own money into the campaign, true... but it was HIS money, that he EARNED.

Big difference. It's not "gender bias" to ask where Hillary Clinton is getting her money. We all know where Romney's came from, we just aren't sure where the Clintons are getting theirs.

Though I really wonder how much Kerry's house is worth if he can finance a campaign on it!!! I want one.

Another difference is that Kerry was struggling to come from behind - remember he was in single digits in Iowa a month out from the caucus.

Clinton was the 'inevitable candidate,' who was expected to crush the field six nine months before Iowa under the weight of her fundraising prowess.

Romney may be using his own hard-earned money, but anyone who hasn't noticed a certain sneer toward his spending from either other Republican candidates or the media hasn't been paying attention to both races.

I don't see it as a gender bias. I think people see Romney as a rich guy who earned his money in the private sector. 20 million from lifelong public servants just attracts more scrutiny.

Rezco will make sure his boy Obama is taken care of, money will be there if he needs it

What?! You mean the one with the great message and all the 35 YEARS of experience is low on CASH?! I guess the message wasn't so good after all.

I suspect this is a 2fer punch and just a ploy to reach out to the elderly and women voters. Because she knows women and the eldrely can identify with a cash crunch and/or the poor princess struggling. Therefore, they will come running with their money and support. Just manipulation if you ask me.

If it is real, then why talk about it? If you have the money, clearly she should spend it. Romney is buying his way into the WH, there is no reason why she shouldn't do the same. We already knew she was rich, and was hardly someone that could identify with working class idiots that voted for her.

Hillary for the first time, I am on your side. Write those checks today girlfriend.

This story is just a cheap shot, invented fabrication. Hillary has plenty of money on hand and lot's more pouring in every day. I should know. I work for her campaign. Another Obama smear tactic as usual...

Huh, John. Could be a fundraising ploy. It kinda fits into her usual play-the-victim tactic when pressured. I'm disappointed with myself. Usually I come up with ideas like that, but this time you beat me to it.

All the money Obama has and all the Mass. help plus Oprah could not help Obama in California.

Actually it did, Charles. Obama only lost California by 10 points. Factor for the early ballots, and on primary day it was probably much closer.

And because it was so close, Obama avoided the delegate blow-out there, which allowed him to win the day, though by such a small amount its a bit of an overstatement to call it a win.

Still, being on the plus end of a small differentiation is better than being on the minus end.

Ever wonder if the young voters are supporting Obama because there may be a chance he'll legalize pot. I think the young voter should only cast their ballots under the careful supervision of parents, grandparents, and more mature relatives. Remember, they are the generation of quick and instant everything. Fixing this great nation of ours is going to take vision and patience.

Laura - you want legal voters to be supervised in the voting booth? Wow. Are you saying it takes a village to cast a vote?

This confirms what everyone has been saying. The Clintons will do ANYTHING TO WIN (there is noone they wouldn't step over to win. It's all about the Clinton's not about America. Hillary lied in NH and it won't work.
I agree, that it proves that Hillary is NOTHING without Bill. Then why do feminists support her?? There are other women I would support, but NOT Hillary. She would destroy the Democratic party if Obama wasn't going to win. I do agree that this will start investigations of Bill Clinton's activities and will really hurt Hillary with the women's vote. Besides, Obama people will try to match him, dollar for dollar until he is broke.

John,

Sorry you may be working for her but she loaned her campaign 5-million. How do you suppose she will pay that back. Nothing wrong with self funding but be honest about it!

Reading the amount of baseless hatred Clinton generates is almost enough to make me switch my vote to her. What makes you think that the money is Bill's money? Neither of these people made any real money in their lives until after they left office. And Hillary's money comes from the sale of her books.
They were fairly broke when he was elected to the White House.

And she devoted herself to his career. We might never have heard of him without her. This is full of the biggest load of gender biased BS I have read in a long, long time.

And dirty money? why is her own money dirty? Why? You can't answer that.

Wow, that is a news development. I wonder where the money is coming from....

This just goes to show that she/he wants back in the White house so badly that they'll try to buy back in. It's not working for Romeny. Hopefully, it won't work for her/him.

Barak Obama will win the nominee not because Hillary's camp is short of funds nor because of lack of enthusiam (see women, seniors, Latinos, Super Delegats, and people making under 50K annually. Barak will win the nomination because the Oval Office is part of the Good Ol' Boys Club, and girls are not allowed. If you look at the polls and listen to the policy wonks and analysts, white men are coming out in droves to vote for Barak. White men never come out in droves to do ANYTHING other than attend a sports event or strip club. The only reason why they are coming out in droves now is because they for sure don't want a woman running the country. And as for Obama's "change" message, I am interested to see how well he can get things done in the Oval with Republicans fighting him tooth and nail. Republicans hate Democrats, and vice versa. I really feel for Hillary. She's a woman in a man's game, and that's unfortunately, why she's going to lose. I should know this because I am a man, policy wonk, Rebulican, and former advisor to a past President. BTW, go Jets!

Paul,
We have all know the Clinton play-book by now.....one ploy or tactic after another. By the way, I liked that “takes a village to vote” comment.

Laura,
What a bizarre thing to say. You mean these young people are old enough to defend the country, some with their own lives, work jobs to support the many entitlement programs (programs many get no benefit from whatsoever), but they cannot be trusted to vote? Totally bizarre.

I don't often agree with the press and the pundits but they are correct, this is a generational election. It's funny the elderly can't lend more support to those that are and that will be paying for them. Bizarre again. Oh well, so much for looking out for future generations and the direction of the country.

John, I don't agree that a woman can't be elected president. I just happen to think this woman can't win the general election. It has nothing to do with her gender.

But, if you believe that a woman can't win at all, isn't that all the more reason why you wouldn't want your party to nominate one? I mean, why send up someone you know is going to lose?

Someone should find a nice slumlord to finance Hillary, or some nice Baath party memeber!

So wheere is the proof that she loaned the campaign the money?

Let me guess because bill Burton says so?

This is nothing but the media trying to start up BS!

Posted by: Jordan Clinton,

Have you read the other article? She just loaned her campaign 5 mill. You Hillary people are pathetic....Why are you people so negative and angry ALL the time? Were you hoping to silence the guy last night? I think some of you need de-programmed or something. You people think Obama is the anti-christ. Get a life for goodness sakes. He is not the source of her misfortune(s). Stop blaming him for every little thing that goes wrong in her campaign. Claim your brains back for goodness sakes.

26 people have made comments on this. None of use seem to really care for the other. So, who then is the candidate who can bring us all together? I am serious about this. Is it McCain? Obama? Hillary? Huckabee? Which one will extend the olive branch and make us all respect each other? That candidate does not exist. People will hate Hillary, people will hate McCain. But in the Clinton's defense, people hate Bill because he's smart, likes sex, and knows, like any good politician, how to work the political system in order to survive. PS to all Republicans: it's okay to like sex. Even in the Oval Office.

Oprah is, after all, worth at least hundreds of millions....

Guess what, the count for the delegates one day later, in the afternoon is not over. Obama's count has gone up and they are still counting the delegates. Wow, just like the old days. The news papers declared one guy the winner of the presidential campaign, the following morning, it was the Other guy who won. This is exciting.

The Democratic Vision (Internet vs the media spin)

What We Stand For:

The Democratic Vision is the The Democratic Party committed to keeping our nation safe and expanding opportunity for every American. That commitment is reflected in an agenda that emphasizes the security of our nation, strong economic growth, and affordable health care for all Americans, retirement security, honest government, and civil rights.

CNN reported late last night on massive Democratic turnout across the country. Some of these figures are based off of incomplete returns, like Arizona for instance, who broke the previous record by 80,000 with 67% percent in at the time. Both HILLARY SUPPORTERS and Obama supporters as well as other previous candidates are helping the democratic party make history!

Voters are turning out for the Democratic primaries in number that absolutely shatter previous records — a troubling sign for Republicans looking ahead to the general election.

When you look at these numbers from the across the country, one thing is for certain: Our Democratic nominee will be competitive anywhere!

STATE: MISSOURI
PREVIOUS RECORD:

528,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 778,000 (98% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +47%

STATE: ILLINOIS
PREVIOUS RECORD:
1,504,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 1,809,000 (91% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +20%

STATE: NEW YORK
PREVIOUS RECORD:
1,575,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 1,744,000 (99% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +11%

STATE: NEW JERSEY
PREVIOUS RECORD:
654,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 1,104,000 (99% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +69%

STATE: MASSACHUSETTS
PREVIOUS RECORD:
793,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 1,170,000 (98% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +48%

STATE: ARIZONA
PREVIOUS RECORD:
239,000
VOTES TONIGHT SO FAR: 314,000 (67% reporting)
% CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS RECORD: +31%

Guiding Principles:

We have a bold new direction for a secure America. We seek: 1) Honest Leadership & Open Government, 2) Real Security, 3) Energy Independence, 4) Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence, 5) A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone, and 6) Retirement Security.

Platform is that The Democratic Party has a long and proud history of representing and protecting the interests of working Americans and guaranteeing personal liberties for all. One of the places we articulate our beliefs is in the Party's National Platform, adopted every four years by the Delegates at the National Convention.

The Charter and Bylaws is the constitution of the Democratic Party. It outlines the structure of the Party organization, and the relationship among the National Convention, the National Committee, and other Party organizations or operations. The Democratic National Committee at its December 5, 2005 meeting last amended the Charter and Bylaws.
The 50-state strategy is that The Democratic Party is committed to winning elections at every level in every region of the country, and we're getting started right now with a massive effort to fund organizers on the ground in every state.

The ultimate goal is an active, effective group of Democrats organized in every single precinct in the country!

after switching back and forth between multiple news websites and networks pretty much all night last night, the consensus on the winner on the Democratic side last night was that there was no loser

alex......you should spend more time here and watching and reading the news.....you would find that Senator Clinton and her supporters are generally more congenial towards Senator Obama and his supporters than the other way around

Question for who ever made up this story, FEC at Dec 31 showed Clintons with $37.5 million cash available and Obama with $18 Mill avail!

Clinton in Jan took in $13.5 mill and Obama took in $32 million!

Simple math says Clintons with $51 million and Obama with $50 million!

So about time the reported went back to school in that trailer by the rail tracks in SC and pay attention to the teacher when simple math is taught!

evidence that Senator Clinton and her vast numbers of supporters want what's best for America? they would support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic nominee....

Chris - not libelous at all, at least not on my part. This was a story published only about a week ago on multiple news sources, and commented about on multiple blogs.

I can't tell you for a fact the story is accurate, as I wasn't there. But it was reported that Bill took a friend to Kazakhstan, introduced him to the powers that be, which greased his access to uranium mines. While there, Bill reportedly made comments that did contradict U.S. policy, as well as Hillary's own comments regarding Kazakhstan. And this friend did contribute more than $30 million ($31.5 if I remember correctly) to a Clinton fund.

And I assume, Chris, this story was at least part of the oblique reference in the blog story's final paragraph.

Obama lost yesterday. Spin it anyway you want.

Dog, how do you figure that Obama lost? He won more states and more delegates.

The numbers to run Clinton and Obama's campaigns are astronomical and could be spent for better causes. Here in the United States,on any given day, over 30 million americans go hungry. I find it very hard to have any sympathy to help the wealthy realize their political ambitions. Even if Obama and Clnton both loose, they will still be worth millions and think nothing of the least of us.

I wish someone could explain why raising more money is so important because i don't truly understand. Although I am voting for Obama, I think that using your own money is much better than taking bribes from contributers that will have to be paid back by corporate favors once the candidate becomes president. AND THAT AIN'T NO GOOD! So, if someone would post the information that I just don't understand about why is it so important to out fund raise the other... I'll keep an eye on the message board for my answer, thanks!

First, Romney has never hidden the fact he is spending his own money. In contrast, the allegation that Hillary is loaning her campaign $5m is apparently not volunteered by Hillary's campaign, and interestingly, is denied by some of her supporters here.

Second, the idea that "Hillary has her book money" raises some issues. (1) Recall the $8m advance was a record-setter at the time. Back then, Hillary was a Senator-elect, and Congressional rules forbid a member from receiving income that is above usual and customary- no violation was found, but it's a little questionable in terms of whether the publisher is really giving her money above the market advance for her book. (2) Hillary, perhaps to quell criticism, announced she would donate an undisclosed amount of the advance to charity. (3) There were issues raised about the publisher lying about her book sales, whether to justify their huge advance to her, or to create additional interest, or for some other reason.

Third, I don't care whether any such recent loan to Hillary's campaign came from "her" money or "his" money- clearly they are both capable of earning huge sums of money. The real point is that it's inspiring to see Obama having raised so much recently (which suggests ever-increasing support for Obama), and having raised it from lots of regular folks contributing smaller amounts of money.

Finally, a woman or black president has inherent value in itself, although the best candidate ought to win, regardless of race, gender, or religion. But, do the Dem's really want to put up a polarizing figure like Hillary, who'd likely lose to McCain in the general election? People who love Hillary really love her, and that's fine- but those that dislike her REALLY dislike her, and this onslaught will be pronounced in the general election when Republicans are criticizing her. The candidate needs the middle moderates to win the general election, and Obama has the best chance of that.

Third,

Democrat,
Please do not go negative on
Hillary or Obama. Both the camp will
need to support each other for general
election. Obama cannot win without
Clinton supporter. And same is true for
Clinton.
If you are a McCain supporter, well you
are only extending Bush's term. McCain
is a leaf from the same (Bush) tree.

Obama as a nominee will be just awesome.
But if Hillary wins the nomination, I
will vote for her as well.

Posted by: chris,

My friend, I don't find that Hillary supporters friendly at all. I go to multiple sites a day. There are some very angry and downright silly supporters of Hillary's. I'm not saying everyone is the same. No, some of her supporters seem like bright people, very thought oriented. But most are not, perhaps it is passion or perhaps it is immaturity but friendly it is not.

I leave work go home and watch the news, both broadcast and cable. I get on the internet and visit several sites. The coverage of the candidates by the news orgs. are about the same. But, on internet sites, where users are concerned, there are multiple post from down right angry people that support Hillary. It is almost as if Hillary's supporters talk on cue. Some of her supporters say the exact same things. Some will try and make an argument out of anything, no matter how much it doesn't fit and/or it applies to Hillary as well. It really is childish behavior if you ask me.

Bottom line, I find many of her people to be very offensive and very presumptious, much like she was when she first entered the contest with her invincibility, inevitability and sense of entitlement.

Perhaps you don't see it because you have made up your mind and thus you are supporting her. I, on the other hand, am a free agent. I am still taking it all in because I have until next month to decide........

And btw - not sure what you meant about the Oprah comment but you might want to have a look at campaign financing. I'm not entirely sure, but I'm willing to bet Oprah does not want to faces criminal charges for violating the law for Obama's benefit. She probably likes the guy but not all THAT much?

Hey Chris,
We want what is best for the country too. So, why don't you all get behind our guy. After all, the Repubs. will tie her hands with one investigation after another and she won't get anything done anyway.

So, go with a sure winner if you want REAL results instead of blaming the Repubs, which I guarantee you she will do.

Besides, I don't see her as a winner because this election will have some after effects that won't soon go away.

Not to mention there are already new stories coming out about these people, the Clinton's. Ready from Day 1? Please. Investigations from Day 1. Only difference is she will be in the VP role and won't be charged with anything and will be able to answer to all their charges and go before this or that grand jury.

The Clintons are paper tigers. Senator
Obama is real and a growing number
of voters are giving not only their
money but their hearts and their
prayers as well.

she will do ANYTHING to get back in the white house.

Out with the old ideas that do not work.In with the new.If she is going to do such great things for the economy,how can't she handle her own finances and balance her campaign checkbook?
Obama08.

one of the things that has turned a lot of democrats away from obama is the caterwauling and abrasiveness an childishness of too many of his supporters.

like now. why are you complaining that she is using HER OWN money to help finance her campaign? and yes, it is HER OWN MONEY for which she has WORKED and WRITTEN several BOOKS, and EARNED all by herself among other LEGAL and ACCEPTABLE income gleaning ways.

I find that ADMIRABLE! I could not lend myself 5 million dollars if my life depended .

Vote for whoever you want, but let's keep it above board and clean.... else they think you're Republicans.

News stories state that Clinton is "loaning" the money, whereas, the news stories state that Romney is "spending" his money. There seems to be a difference between "loaning" and "spending", but I'm not sure what the difference is. ?

questioner,

I read the same thing regarding Hillary supporters as well. Just like you all don't agree on who to support, you don't agree on which group is the most negative. Therefore, everything you just said about them, they have said about you all.

Also, not all of the people are Dems. there might be some Repubs. posting on here. I know there are some Ind. on here like myself that don't care for her either.

I did not know that Hillary had any Money. When Bill Clinton was President, he could not even afford a Car, and always took the BUS to work. I always thought that the Clintons were DIRT Poor. So who gave her the $5 Million ? Maybe it was the BIG OIL Companies !

"News stories state that Clinton is "loaning" the money, whereas, the news stories state that Romney is "spending" his money. There seems to be a difference between "loaning" and "spending", but I'm not sure what the difference is. ?
Posted by: Bill | Feb 6, 2008 10:36:51 PM"

Bill: As I see it, the difference is that Romney is depleting his personal fortune each time he "spends" his own money on his campaign; and no matter how much money he receives from supporters after-the-fact, he can't "reimburse" himself by using that cash.
Hillary, by "loaning" money to her campaign, CAN reimburse herself (i.e., pay back the loan) from supporters' subsequent contributions, and therefore is NOT depleting her personal fortune. It's a clever ploy by Hillary to generate more supporter contributions without having to spend her own money on her campaign.
P.S. I am not aware of any campaign finance rules that prohibit a person - including the candidate herself - from loaning money to an on-going political campaign that is suddenly "cash poor" with the expectation that it will be paid back after the campaign's "war chest" is flush with cash again.

We need to get a little more civil in our debates. Both candidates are good candidates. My concern is where is the truth in the stories. I have to admit I am a little sceptical. I know this is a loan, so she plans to get it back? Can you defer reporting actually what you raised, it almost seems impossible that Hillary can't raise large sums of money. She is very smart, so is this a strategy to win underdog votes, because she has been claiming to the underdog since the 20% national lead prior to New Hampshire. I just don't know who to belive anymore.
Diane Sawyer reported on election night tthat 30% of the democratic voter had changed there minds in the past week and the majority switched to Clinton, but she had a double digit lead the week prior and wound up leading by 1%. It was good that George S. found that hard to belive, as I do. So what is real?

Posted by: epia123,
She can spend until she is broke on her own campaign. I think the problem is, just how true is this? She is so exper., she has such a geat message, all the women and elderly are behind her, she has 75 percent of white voters. etc. etc. etc. so just how tapped out is she really?

The problem is, she takes from lobbyist and corps. and she's tapped that well dry and cannot go back. However, with the level of avg. man/woman support she should be able to raise money without it being a pain in the butt.

Even if she can't why not just give the money? Bill stated he would spend himself into the poor house trying to get her elected. Has he since changed his mind since he made that statement(back in 2007)? As others have stated, just how much does she want the job? How much faith in herself does she have?

I agree this is some sort of ploy. If it is real, shame on her for not being self reliant She should be able too close this election on her own dime? It's a good thing the rebate checks haven't come in yet, or she'd be asking for those.

Mitt 08!!

I want to know if I am paying for this "personal loan" of Hillary.

OK, stay with me for a minute on this. I am new to blogging.

Here is what I think Hillary would do. Loan the 5 million to her campaign at a high interest rate. Then she takes federal matching funds which I paid into (albeit, only $1) to pay the loan back.

If she loans the money to the campaign, can she charge the campaign for the loan and actually come out the other side with more money in her pocket, courtesy of all the dupes that make donations?

If she can't figure out how to pay for her own campaign, how on earth can we trust that she will figure out how to increase our economy, let alone the United States budget?

At this point I wouldn't trust her to be back on the Wal-Mart board. And I certainly won't trust her with the future of my economic situation and the economic situation of the United States.

She always says she's ready on Day One. Well, if tomorrow were Day One, she'd be in deep trouble. It's not like she's an incumbent here just starting out. 8 years of planning her own economic strategies has failed to provide for her.

That sounds a lot like that healthcare program she's been selling to voters to win their vote when she knows it can't pass -- even to a sympathetic democratic senate! Even to Michael Moore who's an Obama supporter in spite of his movie "Sicko"!

Shocking.

And back to the Day One thing -- after so many displays of tears, I don't think she's emotionally equipped to handles the pressures of being president if she can't even handle the campaign (this is nothing gendered, I am a lifelong feminist, so don't even go there).