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Clinton Hauls in $35 Mill; Obama Camp Says They'll Do Better
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ShareFebruary 28, 2008 11:54 AM
Kate Snow, Eloise Harper, David Chalian and Sunlen Miller Report:
Sen. Hillary Clinton said Thursday she was incredibly gratified to learn her campaign hauled in a record 35 million dollars in the month of February, despite losing 11 contests during that time.
"I was sure excited by the generosity of thousands of new donors," Clinton told reporters in Hanging Rock, Ohio. "It was really heartwarming because a lot of them sent e-mails talking about why they were contributing and it was often five, ten, fifteen dollars and they would write about how they wanted to do for their children."
But while her campaign was reveling in the news, there is word that Barack Obama is ready to out-do her with an eye-popping fundraising figure of his own.
Like Obama’s campaign, Clinton raised the bulk of the new money online.
The Senator said she believes her supporters were spurred to action when they heard that she herself had loaned her campaign money.
"When people found out we didn't have the resources to compete and I did put my own money in it just set off a chain reaction across the country of hundreds of thousands of people saying ‘Wait a minute. We want this campaign to go on.’" Clinton said.
Clinton loaned her campaign five million dollars in late January. The loan was disclosed earlier this month. It has not yet been re-paid.
"The fact that Senator Clinton put so much of her own resources into the campaign I think was a demonstration of her commitment to her own campaign and also a signal to her supporters that she needed their help," said veteran democratic strategist Tad Devine. "And I think a lot of women heard that call and they responded and that is part of success they have had in recent fundraising."
The haul was more than double what the Clinton campaign raised in January—its previous record for one month.
Of the 35 million, campaign officials said 30 million came from online donations. The money included donations from more than 200,000 new donors.
On average, people gave about one hundred dollars to the Clinton campaign, but there were also donations as small as ten or twenty bucks.
Obama’s campaign has also relied heavily on a strong base of internet donors.
In January, the Obama campaign raised a record 36.7 million dollars, in large part on the internet.
"These are people who are committed to candidates because they believe in them," said Devine. "They are contributing low dollar amounts not high dollar amounts."
That, he said, is why Clinton—even in the face of a series of losses and dire predictions—was able to keep fundraising.
"In the past you had to succeed to draw the money that was built on that access and political success. But we are in a different age now," Devine said.
On a conference call with financial supporters Thursday, Clinton Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe said the campaign had raised in excess of 167 million dollars to date.
"We have the resources to play in Texas and Ohio next week and beyond and go all the way through to the end," McAuliffe said in an interview with ABC News.
Indeed, by the time that conference call began on Thursday, the campaign had already launched several new television and radio ads in Ohio.
McAuliffe confidently predicted victory.
"What Hillary’s gonna do is she's gonna win this nomination," he told supporters on the call.
"There are 35 million dollars worth of people who have skipped dinners, not taken medications so she can do this," he said.
"The only thing that tempers Senator Clinton's enormous victory in terms of fundraising is the fact that her opponent has probably done even better," said Devine.
In fact, shortly after the Clinton team released their big number, a spokesman for the Obama campaign said their fundraising haul for February would be significantly higher.
Democrats familiar with the Obama campaign's fundraising operation told ABC News his campaign is expected to have raised north of 50 million dollars for the month.
Still, when Senator Obama was asked about people writing Senator Clinton's political obituary he said he would not count her out.
"Remember New Hampshire?" Obama asked—reminding everyone of the surprising victory Clinton scored there after everyone expected Obama to win.
"If you read the press you would think this thing is over," said Clinton senior advisor Harold Ickes on the finance conference call. "We're a long way from that."
As the Democratic nomination contest heads into Ohio and Texas and for all the latest from the 2008 campaign trail, read The Note every morning only on ABCNews.com
February 28, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (487)
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Does this mean she's going to pay back the people she's stiffed?
OR does her campaign want a list for the best hotels and eateries in Houston?
Posted by: JB | Feb 28, 2008 2:13:34 PM
Even more reason to get Clinton's tax returns. Why wasn't her lie about them being hard to pull together laughed out of the room? She has an accountant. The accountant has the records. So does she. MAYBE 2007 isn't ready, but 2006 sure as heck is. ABC News should offer to send a courier to pick up the documents and photocopy them for the Clintons. Since they are so busy and all, you know, losing a primary.
Posted by: yada | Feb 28, 2008 2:14:44 PM
Obama supporter, please resist yourself from posting anything negative about Clinton. She is a great candidate compared to Bush and McCain. Obama himself said that during Cleveland debate. Of Course, Obama is the best. But he will need all the support from Clinton camp to beat McCain (aka Bush). If you see any nagative campaigning against Obama, simply state the fact and move on. Thanks and yes we can.
Posted by: Al, San Francisco | Feb 28, 2008 2:21:43 PM
Al, good point.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 28, 2008 2:23:37 PM
Hilary Clinton has NOT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE!
Hilary Clinton is deluding herself that amassing information is the same as amassing LEADERSHIP SKILLS!
A nation needs a LEADER; because any computer today can amass information.
Hilary can't even run an efficient and successful national campaign.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, has been a Community Organizer, of the very people who are going to vote for him!
Also, just take a look at the Obama $250m national campaign, which is organized in a year to run intelligently, efficiently and successfully?
Senator Obama's national campaign is HISTORIC in so many ways!
Now, that's demonstration of LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE!
Posted by: New Yorker | Feb 28, 2008 2:24:09 PM
just to remind the tax-filing complaint people and those saying to not treat her differently, people have till the 15th - the tax returns being asked about arent the ones for 2007 (due apr 15, 2008), they are the ones for 2006 and earlier (obama released his in late 2007 and raised the point to sen. clinton). they have already been completed and submitted to the IRS by apr 15, 2007. that's what is being asked for. whether thats appropriate or not, thats up to you to debate. but don't get the dates and timeframes and issues confused.
Posted by: nick | Feb 28, 2008 2:30:08 PM
SE Croft, I'm definitely not a wealthy person, I'm unemployed, and I donated what I could to Hillary's campaign. There goes your claim right out the window.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 28, 2008 2:32:14 PM
Well when he was doing his community supporting it is said he got his money from Americorp
Posted by: Bishop | Feb 28, 2008 2:33:56 PM
Got to comment on something I just read.Does anyone remember Clinton saying" I am NOT running as a woman"I am running because I think I can do some good for this country????She is now talking to the women in Ohio that a woman president giving a womans view and a woman doing all the things a man can do. Note: the word woman and how many times it is used.She is a liar I have said this fron the start but she nevers goes back on her word ask her she will tell you>>>>>
Posted by: Honesty. | Feb 28, 2008 2:47:40 PM
WASTING MONEY ON CLINTON INEFFICIENT CAMPAIGN! LOL
Posted by: New Yorker | Feb 28, 2008 2:54:56 PM
Sit tight - Hillary will be a come back on March 4. OH - IO for HILL - ARY!!! After all Hillary has the solutions & experience to get the economy back to the people, while keeping America safe. She'll get the kids to college & Healthcare for all ! Hillary is the real Deal. She's not cracked up like Obama.
Posted by: georgie | Feb 28, 2008 3:23:18 PM
How many people know this? McCain was not born in the United States. I'm not sure if this disqualifies him, but it is a fact.
Posted by: pt | Feb 28, 2008 3:27:01 PM
His father was serving his country out of the usa but he was born on base makes him usa cit.
Posted by: Bishop | Feb 28, 2008 3:42:51 PM
I would say to my fellow Democrats you should start the examination now to find some redeeming quality that you find admirable and can live with because Sen. Obama will be the next President of the United States of America.
Posted by: Sandra | Feb 28, 2008 4:31:15 PM
All in favor of New Yorker's comments that Obama is the one true leader in this contest please signify by voting PRESENT! LOL.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 28, 2008 4:33:30 PM
Honesty; I have been a lifelong Democrat who has donated heavily to Hillary and I will sit out of an Obamanomination. I will not contribute if our HALF of the DEMCRATIC PARTY is dismissed. We have our own campaign on writing her in if it comes to that. We're all tiring of BO negative, disrespectful and dismissive support. As well as his TWO-FACED CAMPAIGNING.
Posted by: Imahillady | Feb 28, 2008 4:52:23 PM
I have donated as well. Hillary is the candidate most ready for the job of being President.
Posted by: lois | Feb 28, 2008 4:52:37 PM
What ever happened to common sense? I proudly support and will vote for Senator Clinton as our next President. Hillary Clinton has always stood up to answer the tough questions, and has an actual plan of action from day one.Lets focus on reality! If Barack Obama were selected, the Republicans have already started in with their smear tactics: inexperience, Muslim/radical ties,who knows what else.We cannot take a chance on losing this election! Please do not hand this term over to the Republicans so easily!At rallies for Hillary, I have heard lifelong Democrats, tell me they may have to vote Republican for the first time ever!This is out of fear of Obama's inexperience & arrogance, not taking the time to learn the ropes and gain the necessary experience needed, there was no bigotry!There were all walks of life: old & young, wealthy & struggling, soccer moms & dads, black men & women, hispanic men & women, disabled veterans, people who have come to the USA from all over, good, hardworking people with common sense and values.Hillary is of course the right choice! Think hard, its so important!We cannot take a chance on losing this election! Please do not hand this term over to the Republicans so easily!Do you want to go though 4 more years of the same Bush/Chaney type administration?Personally I don't think the majority of us regular people want or can handle that.We do not want another 50-100 years in Iraq. And why exactly are we there again? When will you care? When someone you love is drafted?I honor and respect our men and women serving our country with all my heart.They deserve answers as to when they will be coming home? What kind of veteran services they can expect?We need homeland security! Protection here at home! We watched as Americans were left to die in the streets during Katrina! Shameful and unbelievable!It doesn't matter what others say, do what you know in your heart and head is right! I care in Texas
Posted by: jeanne in dallas | Feb 28, 2008 4:52:38 PM
Just goes to prove that there are a lot of idiots with money to burn, at least you can write off the loss.
Posted by: Patriot2008 | Feb 28, 2008 4:54:21 PM
Hey, Not4UHillary, how ironic that you pretend to take a high road while your log on is pretty specific in how you think. See, people like you do not represent the Democratic party I have been a lifelong member of. I am not interested in protecting your candidate.
Posted by: Imahillady | Feb 28, 2008 4:56:44 PM
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