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Clinton Fundraising For March

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April 03, 2008 3:20 PM

ABC's Kate Snow and Sunlen Miller Report: The Clinton campaign reports raising $20 million for the month of March, ABCNews has learned -- about half of what the Obama campaign says it raised that month.

The Clinton campaign will not officially announce its figure until the Federal Election Commission deadline of April 20th.

But the Obama campaign says it raised over $40 million from 442,000 contributors in the month of March.

"Senator Obama has always said that this campaign would rise or fall on the willingness of the American people to become partners in an effort to change our politics and start a new chapter in our history," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said.

The Obama camp also claims that more than 218,000 of those donors were first-time contributors, giving an average of $96 per donor.

On a conference call with reporters earlier today, Clinton campaign Communications Director Howard Wolfson downplayed the fundraising gap.

"We knew he was going to outraise us.  He has for the last several months," Wolfson said.

Wolfson insisted -- as the campaign has repeatedly said-- that Clinton has enough money to be competitive and successful moving forward.

The Clinton campaign has said Obama was outspending them by 4 to 1 on television ads in Pennsylvania and will probably continue to outspend them by about 2 to 1 between now and primary day in the keystone state.

"He outspent us 2 to 1 in Ohio and Texas, but we were able to win.  We expect to be successful going forward despite being outspent.  Both campaigns are raising a lot of funds.  We are both outraising McCain," Wolfson said.

Campaign insiders did not want to reveal details about the amount of debt Clinton might be carrying at the moment.  In February, the campaign reported holding nearly $9 million in debts. It was recently reported that debt included her own alma mater -- Park Ridge High School  -- where she had held a campaign event.  When news of that debt was reported, the debt was immediately paid.  Campaign officials said many of the debts owed in February have since been cleared off the books, but they acknowledged that there are new unpaid invoices for March.

In a campaign email solicitation sent out over the weekend, former President Bill Clinton encouraged contributions by pointing out that the media and others would be quick to judge his wife's financial health.

"Our opponents and the media will scrutinize our fundraising reports and look for any sign of weakness," Bill Clinton wrote to supporters.  He then asked them to donate.

"Even as little as $5 can make a difference," he said.

April 3, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (164)

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John McCain didn't outspend Romney in the Repub primary and he didn't raise as much money either. He was all but broke when finally started winning.

Perhaps it's not all about money. And if Obama does buy his way to the nomination, what kind of change would that be? And this is better than the more experienced Clinton, how?

Posted by: An opinion | Apr 3, 2008 4:04:54 PM

I'm not saying that she has to drop out, I for one, think that the competition keeps Obama on his toes. However, she needs to get past this idea that he cannot win, clearly he can. It makes her look petty and foolish to call him anything other than a worthy opponent. All that said, she has been deliberately secretive and deceptive regarding her experience and finances, that cannot be overlooked in this campaign especially considering the regime that needs to desperately be replaced. She has lost any shot of a joint ticket or even a cabinet level post.

Posted by: Louis | Apr 3, 2008 4:05:35 PM

RegionFive,
That would be Rupert Murdoch. He's letting the four little dawgs have their fun right now, but he takes over for the general election.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 3, 2008 4:06:00 PM

Yeah...Obama is unknown...pleeeze..what are you Obama supporters thinking??? I live in NC and what is sad is, how much money Obama is spending on commercials...I see one an hour. His latest.."we can change the world". What does THAT mean??? It is like a Coke commercial.

I agree with len..the speeches/movement and so on is just plain ridiculous. Give me some SUBSTANCE...I will be voting for McCain..republican for the first time in my life. Obama just has nothing to offer as President.

Watch MSNBC's vids on the electoral map and you will see how slim Obama's chances are should he be the nominee.

Posted by: Raleigh voter | Apr 3, 2008 4:06:13 PM

regionfive - they are controled by the F.O.E - the forces of E vil.... Well, that's what I heard.

Posted by: Mark | Apr 3, 2008 4:06:19 PM

True Truth - the problem with that argument is that the President of the United States is rarely if ever an expert in every area. It's about time we had one that actually understood and respected the Constitution. I grew up in AR and know Bill Clintons record well - he wasn't exactly a success as the Governor of Arkansas and Hillary didn't fare much better as a community organizer. The only candidate truly ready for the Oval Office is John McCain. If I agreed with his stance on policy he would have my vote.

Posted by: Elijah112668 | Apr 3, 2008 4:06:21 PM

Hillary is beating him with 1/2 the money! Thats it Hillary make him spend every penny, Mitt Romney couldn't buy the election either! You go girl!

Posted by: russell | Apr 3, 2008 4:07:01 PM

Oh yeah, absolutely NO CHANCE.... lol.... Mrs Clinton, this cash is coming from people who stand behind Mr Obama... and you?

Posted by: RW | Apr 3, 2008 4:07:48 PM

Regionfive: People control the media. Stories are based off of facts and figures. There is, however, almost always going to be a personal bias that works its way into it. In this case, it is clearly against Clinton, as have many articles on this site been.

But I must agree with you on the fact that 20 million dollars is nothing to scoff at. It is indeed sad that it is said that 20 million is nothing. Most of that money is only for the Primaries. As I said earlier, she will probably lose. That money could easily go into something more useful.

Posted by: Josh | Apr 3, 2008 4:07:58 PM

I'd rather have a President who exercised some spin on her experience on a trip to a hostile, than one who lied for a year about his relationship with a hate-speaking pastor. Turns out there was a twenty year relationship there.
=======================================
Keep Wright out of the White House!
Obama doesn't want the voters to speak!
=======================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 3, 2008 4:09:19 PM

What is amazing is that Hillary is still in this financially. However, I don't believe the $20 million figure. The Obama faithful were watching her contribution counter just before the $3 million last minute pledge goal at midnight March 31st. The counters were manufactured and even went backwards. The last update showed an unreasonable donation per person to reach that "WE MADE IT!" goal. I think we will see that they fudged the numbers and are hoping people will have forgotten about or will not care come April 20th. Clinton will start her kitchen sink/Tonya Harding moves on April 19th to get the undecided voters to question Obama and maybe vote for her. Voter apathy is a terrible thing.

Posted by: Radmanaustin | Apr 3, 2008 4:09:42 PM

Michael Denhof,
So if I understand your argument, if Hillary is able to surpass Obama in the popular vote then she is still in play. Check out Michael Barone's simple analysis on the expected outcome of the popular vote (U.S. News and World Report).

Meanwhile, please begin searching for recipes for crow. I'll be interested in hearing how it tastes.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 3, 2008 4:12:01 PM

Wow! there are more than a few very dillusional people on this site saying all sorts of things against Obama and his campaign. FACT: There are MORE than a few 'less-than-stellar' issues surrounding the Clinton campaign!

The saddest issue is those idiots who say they will vote McCain if their Democrat candidate does not win the nomination. Wow - we got some serious losers in our country to do that!

This country is in very big trouble with that brand of thinking...

Posted by: Mrs. Tiggywinkle | Apr 3, 2008 4:12:07 PM

Brianna & Eric,

I agree he did win the state. I don't know why it is an insult for people to be asking her to step aside. If he were in her position, people would be asking him to step aside and it wouldn't be a big deal. I am sick of Hillary the victim. I am sick of women an old people/elderly people running to support her. I wonder if people would be as outraged if the shoe was on the other foot? Would the Clinton's be as understanding of Barack for wanting to stay in the contest? By the way, it is now time they begin to color Tx. for Barack, the rightful winner.

I have a message for Hillary if anyone is reading this board from her camp:
ENOUGH with this crap. It is TIME, HILLARY, to move on in life. If you get out now, you may still have a career. If you stay in, you can bet your better days are behind you.

Posted by: Hoyle | Apr 3, 2008 4:12:59 PM

I think Hillary should drop out. Face it, wasn't meant to be. Time is up. At this point the party is being fractured and that is the last thing we need. nneexxtt

Posted by: Chris | Apr 3, 2008 4:13:18 PM

Obama only won red/black states from his favoring attraction from liberal independents and betrayed black votes from Clintons... Even black super-delegates betrayed clintons with only reason he has to vote for skin...

Obama was defeated by Clintons in white votes, Latinos vote, Asian votes, and most big blue states...

Because his "leadership" from his church organizer, he was able to have better organization in Caucus. That is it...

He got no new plans or policies on national security, foriegn policies, economy, healthcare... He just adopted and modified someone else..

Who is actually stealing Dems' nomination... Obviously it is HIM...

Do you think he is better than Edward? No. He has been in race because of his skin - black skin......he was able to attract majority of black people behind him... He won't even win independents over Edwards...

Simply truth..

Posted by: True Truth | Apr 3, 2008 4:13:23 PM

I'm not surprise that Obama is two to one over anything the Clintons do. The bottom line is that Bill and Hillary are in la la land. They just don't get it. They're both from the old politics of pork, graft, corruption and sleeze. The fact that they jumped all over Gov. Richardson because they felt he "owed" them shows why Hillary is not qualified for Pres. The next President needs the qualities of honesty, integrity, and straight talk. Something the sleeze machine totally lacks. I think the choice between Obama vs McCain make November an exciting election. I hope the Clintons crawl back to the gutter where they below.

Posted by: Den | Apr 3, 2008 4:15:32 PM

Chris,
You sound like another one of those left-wing elitists that don't want all the moderate working class voters to vote. Reminds me of Daniel Ortega, who said he could control his country with only 5 per cent of his leftist followers. Tell me, do you belong to the Daily Kos Mafia?

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 3, 2008 4:17:02 PM

So, regarding Texas.. how would Barrack like us to count the states... popular vote (Hillary).... Primary Delegates (Hillary)... Caucus Bully pulpit (Barrack).... why of course he wants it counted however it makes him look good. FAKE.LIAR. Down with teh Obama Regime

Posted by: Chipo | Apr 3, 2008 4:17:53 PM

To address two people before I head off for the night in order to feel like less of a loser for hanging around on a political forum for 20 minutes:

Mrs. Tiggywinkle (interesting name) and Mark:

Logic is no longer a deciding force in the minds of the American public. It is often based on what people want to hear. It is human nature to not want to hear unpleasant things. Politicians play on this, no matter who they are. The Vulcan Logic has since been abandoned.

Posted by: Josh | Apr 3, 2008 4:18:26 PM

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