Clinton's fund-raising tops other Democrats

LOS ANGELES -- Setting a high bar for other presidential candidates, Senator Hillary Clinton raised $26 million in the first quarter of the year, nearly matching the combined sum collected by all Democratic hopefuls in the same period four years ago, her campaign said yesterday.

Clinton raised the $26 million in the 10 weeks since she officially launched her campaign, and transferred another $10 million left over from her 2006 Senate reelection campaign account, pushing her total receipts to $36 million.

Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, among Clinton's rivals for the Democratic nomination, raised $14 million in the first three months of 2007, almost double what he raised in the equivalent period in his first presidential run four years ago, his aides said.

Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois, who has been running second to Clinton in opinion polls, did not disclose his preliminary take. Neither did the Republican hopefuls.

The first-quarter numbers took on greater importance than in past campaigns, as candidates face the prospect of having to compete in more than two - dozen states by early February 2008. The ante to compete next year is generally thought to be $30 million to $40 million.

Even so-called second-tier Democratic candidates are raising hefty sums. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson raised $6 million in the first quarter.

Other Democrats include Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, who raised $4 million in the first quarter, and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., Democrat of Delaware, who raised $3 million, their campaigns said.

As Clinton capped a dash for money that began in January, she displayed confidence by announcing her haul first. "We've shattered all records," said Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's campaign chairman, adding that the campaign's early total "shows tremendous momentum" heading into the coming months.

Clinton's campaign publicly had set a goal of raising $15 million for the first quarter and $75 million for the year -- although Clinton backers privately have said they hope to raise $100 million in 2007. The so-called money primary will fuel the actual primaries when people vote, starting in January.

"I'm impressed," said Anthony Corrado, a presidential campaign finance analyst and political scientist at Colby College in Maine. "Bringing in $26 million in the course of 12 weeks is clearly an indication that Senator Clinton is showing the fund-raising strength most observers expected she would have."

The Democrats' combined numbers -- exceeding $50 million, with Obama not yet reporting -- show the intensity of the 2008 campaign and speak to the party's hunger to reclaim the White House. Unusually large crowds that candidates have drawn in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, California, and other early-voting states also reflect that intensity.

"Part of it is people hate Bush so much, they just want to come out and hear people bash him," said Gordon Fischer, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman.

The numbers also underscore the rising cost of campaigns. Candidates are raising money not just for the January caucuses and primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, and elsewhere, but for primary fights in California and as many as 23 other states that could hold primaries Feb. 5, 2008.

In addition, Clinton, Edwards and other top-tier candidates are raising money simultaneously for the primary and general elections -- an important distinction. Federal law bars candidates from using money raised for the general election to pay costs associated with the primaries.

Clinton's aides said they are still tabulating the fund-raising haul, and could not specify the amount she has raised for the primary and for the general election . Jonathan Prince, deputy campaign manager for Edwards, said all but about $1 million of Edwards's $14 million is earmarked for the primary.

The 2008 battle is the first in which most candidates are actively seeking money for both the primary and general election . No top-tier candidate is expected to use federal funds that would be available to them; the government's offer of $83 million for the general election would not be enough.

By law, candidates must abide by spending caps to qualify for the federal money. Top candidates assume they would be able to raise much more.

Clinton's $26 million amounts to the fifth-largest amount raised by any candidate in any quarter in preelection years. President George W. Bush holds the four top positions for preelection years: $28.7 million in the second quarter of 1999; $33.6 million in the second quarter of 2003; $46.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2003; and $49.2 million in the third quarter of 2003.

Candidates are not required to issue full first-quarter campaign finance reports until April 15.