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Obama winning campaign cash contest

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor March 21, 2008 10:08 AM

While it was already clear that Barack Obama was winning the fund-raising war with Hillary Clinton, their campaign finance reports for February show the breadth and depth of that edge.

Obama raised a record $55 million last month, allowing him to outspend Clinton by 50 percent (an average of $1.5 million a day to $1 million) and still end up the month with more campaign cash in the bank, nearly $39 million, including $32 million he could use for the primaries.

Clinton brought in nearly $35 million during February, but had less than $12 million in the bank to spend on the primaries. Her campaign also had debt of nearly $9 million, including $5 million she loaned herself.

For the entire campaign, the figures are staggering -- Obama has raised nearly $193 million, while Clinton has reaped nearly $153 million. Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, by contrast, has raised about $60 million.

The two Democrats combined spent more just during February than McCain has for his entire campaign.

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Si Se Puede! New Mexico and the West has now been won for Obama in the GE.

Richardson will be a great champion in this campaign for the White House.

Posted by SonnyL March 21, 08 11:41 AM
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I guess there's no way of knowing where all the money comes from, is there? That is, if you were, say, an organization hostile to, say, Israel and the US, who would you support in the election? Who presents a real opportunity for US military intervention to back off? It certainly isn't McCain. So how hard would it be to direct millions of dollars through your network of supporters into that person's campaign? A fascinating thought.

Posted by Terry March 21, 08 11:54 AM
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Please. that is just ignorant. Listen I am a Republican and will most likely vote that way in Novemeber. But let's get real people. Certain people are on an Obama smear campaign. The guy is as clean as a politician I have seen and there are people out there who still want to keep minorities down. Let it go and let's have a fair fight between McCain and Obama. Enough with the Clinton and Bush famiiles. They have made our Nation a laughing stalk!

Posted by Alan Wise March 21, 08 02:03 PM
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Please. that is just ignorant. Listen I am a Republican and will most likely vote that way in Novemeber. But let's get real people. Certain people are on an Obama smear campaign. The guy is as clean as a politician I have seen and there are people out there who still want to keep minorities down. Let it go and let's have a fair fight between McCain and Obama. Enough with the Clinton and Bush famiiles. They have made our Nation a laughing stalk!

Posted by Alan March 21, 08 02:03 PM
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Please. that is just ignorant. Listen I am a Republican and will most likely vote that way in Novemeber. But let's get real people. Certain people are on an Obama smear campaign. The guy is as clean as a politician I have seen and there are people out there who still want to keep minorities down. Let it go and let's have a fair fight between McCain and Obama. Enough with the Clinton and Bush famiiles. They have made our Nation a laughing stalk!

Posted by Alan March 21, 08 02:03 PM
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You mean the candidate with the most expeience in devious fundraising ?? Not difficult at all especially if you have a Library fund and a history of parrdons for dough Yes quite fascinating. I'm glad you brought this important point up

Posted by Jim N from Massachusetts March 21, 08 02:07 PM
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You mean the candidate with the most expeience in devious fundraising ?? Not difficult at all especially if you have a Library fund and a history of parrdons for dough Yes quite fascinating. I'm glad you brought this important point up

Posted by Jim N from Massachusetts March 21, 08 02:08 PM
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Si, claro que se puede!!!!

Latinos for Obama all the way! I'm so proud of Governor Bill Richardson endorsing Obama.

I'm also so proud of my friends donating to Obama's campaign!
We can do it together!
Cheers!
Ana Lucia

Posted by Ana Lucia March 21, 08 02:45 PM
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I'm a black young lady who is very proud of Obama running in this campaign! But the truth he is not ready! Clinton have been in the white house before so we know she can run it once more!

O.K. Be fair this time!

Posted by Doreldra Chatman March 21, 08 03:13 PM
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The monies for Mr. Obamas campaign comes from voters like myself and other people that want a good President this time around , and as you can see for yourselfs he managed it quite well , and did not abuse the publics donations
I truley commend him for that.
Obama 08

Posted by USA March 21, 08 03:19 PM
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It is so difficult to watch the smear campaign against one of our best and brightest leaders....while we see endless questions raised about race,...yet Cheney's abrupt answer to the question regarding that 2/3 of Americans are against this war....his response...."so"....why isn't that getting the endless replays?? There are so many real issues at stake here...Thank you Bill Richardson for taking a stand by making a choice....where are you John Edwards? Playing both sides at once....
jeff

Posted by Jeff Jagielo March 21, 08 03:21 PM
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democrat has choice of obama or ralph nader.....but this not kingdom shares between bushs and clintons, ,which hillary is republican in her support to all bush decision but t label her self as democrat to foul the public.

Posted by nichman March 21, 08 03:22 PM
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QUE VIVE OBAMA!

This man knows us and respects us!

Gilberto from Indiana

Posted by Gilberto March 21, 08 03:25 PM
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no matter how they try to stop him....obama is the class act...and will go on to the nomination...the big guns in the party will back him before hillary burns down the ship...which she is willing to do to get the nomination...

if there is some fast tap dancing toward the end and hillary is appointed...half the obama followers will not vote for her...and mccain is a shoe in. This is why the rightwing nuts like rush are all for hillary as the nominee...

Posted by bj journson March 21, 08 03:30 PM
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no matter how they try to stop him....obama is the class act...and will go on to the nomination...the big guns in the party will back him before hillary burns down the ship...which she is willing to do to get the nomination...

if there is some fast tap dancing toward the end and hillary is appointed...half the obama followers will not vote for her...and mccain is a shoe in. This is why the rightwing nuts like rush are all for hillary as the nominee...

Posted by bj journson March 21, 08 03:30 PM
.

You can find out about any campaign contributions on

http://www.fec.gov/disclosure.shtml or

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp

And, please watch Obama's speach and judge for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

Posted by Dave March 21, 08 03:47 PM
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so democrats are wasting hundreds of millions of dollars, though a dollar isn't what it used to be, advertising for.....what exactly? If they cannot secure a democratic nomination, and a presidency then the most progressive of americans will have contributed their own money, voluntarily, for nothing. Gas prices must not be high enough if people are willing to throw $300 million+ at a 4 year job. As compared to the cost of the war in February, it outpaced them all handily. The democratic contenders could have lobbed the entire amount at the republicans and wouldn't have to worry about the presidency. republican supporters are waiting to lose and loving the infighting.

Posted by ywdwarner March 21, 08 03:48 PM
.

Terry -- Google Fundrace 2008 and you can easily access the name, address, zipcode, occupation and contribution size for every donation over $200 made directly to every candidate. You can search by those same fields to scope out the contributors geographically. It is no secret that Obama had more the ONE MILLION individual contributors, averaging far less than $200 per, at the time of the Ohio primary. So I guess you're technically correct -- we don't know who all those million are, because their individual contributions are so small they don't hit the reporting requirement...but our campaign finance rules were anticipating transparency for the possible influence of campaigns financed by small numbers of LARGE contributors, not millions of small ones. Public financing directly to the candidate, in small amounts from huge numbers of contributors, is something we haven't seen on this scale -- ever. You can call that spin -- I call it participatory democracy, from the ground up. Yes We Can may be a slogan, but if there is ever a place for it to be meaningful, it's in our personal commitment to join the democratic process and make our leaders accountable. It brought me out of my chair for the first time in ages -- to encourage Toledo voters to ignore a sleet storm and make some history. I have nothing but pride for every one who turned into that weather and went to stand in line anyway -- whomever they voted for, or donate to.

Posted by jimmymac March 21, 08 03:48 PM
.

Google Fundrace 2008 and you can easily access the name, address, zipcode, occupation and contribution size for every donation over $200 made directly to every candidate. You can search by those same fields to scope out the contributors geographically. It is no secret that Obama had more the ONE MILLION individual contributors, averaging far less than $200 per, at the time of the Ohio primary. So I guess you're technically correct -- we don't know who all those million are, because their individual contributions are so small they don't hit the reporting requirement...but our campaign finance rules were anticipating transparency for the possible influence of campaigns financed by small numbers of LARGE contributors, not millions of small ones. Public financing directly to the candidate, in small amounts from huge numbers of contributors, is something we haven't seen on this scale -- ever. You can call that spin -- I call it participatory democracy, from the ground up. Yes We Can may be a slogan, but if there is ever a place for it to be meaningful, it's in our personal commitment to join the democratic process and make our leaders accountable. It brought me out of my chair for the first time in ages -- to encourage Toledo voters to ignore a sleet storm and make some history. I have nothing but pride for every one who turned into that weather and went to stand in line anyway -- whomever they voted for, or donate to.

Posted by jimmymac March 21, 08 03:51 PM
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Would everyone please STOP referring to Clinton's years in the white house as experience!!!! She was not elected, and she didn't hold any position as a lawmaker until AFTER she leftt he White house and ran for senate in NY.

If ANYTHING Obama has more experience as he was in the illinois senate prior to becoming a US senator.

It drives me mad that you all can look at her "time" in the white house as experience.... Experience in what? meeting other world leader's wives? Trying to help stop poverty, hunger and promote literacy around the world? That's
experience? pllllllease!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Bones March 21, 08 04:11 PM
.

Obama has raised more money because he is more organized. Clinton came in and told her campaign that by Super Tuesday everything will over. Instead we see her mismanaged campaign, no money, disorganization, infights and disagreements. Solis was fired. Campaign broke.Yet she speaks of leadership. I must admit there is something called POOR LEADERSHIP. Showing horrible economic knowledge,atrocious personal , social and foreign relations, and no indication of judgement and experience. She did not answer her own 3:00 am call in her own campaign. How can she answer the country's?
Consequently Obama raised more, and caucus better. Anything that call for his personal input and management he does better. She of course is riding on herdwindling name.

Posted by pat s austin March 21, 08 04:52 PM
.

Alan Wise i agree i am also a republician and Obama is best for the job. our country does not need another Bush in office. With bushmccain you get higher gas prices which are over 3.34 now and oil over 110.00 a barrell. its not going to take a rocket sicentist to figure out soon we got to start paying for this. This war has to stop so now we have a canidate who is ready to step up and stop it lets help him get in office. If not then i hope you are all rich cause there is going to be millions and millions signing up for unemployment if this ecomomy dont get turned around. we are not the police of the world. the countries who are their neighbors are not worring or even helping us in this war, they will be effected before we will. we can always shut our borders and stop giving vista's to people without a clean background this will stop terriost from getting in our country. and beside the ones who do sneak in i dont no about the rest of my fellow americans but let me find out one lives down the street from me and watch me start watching ever move he makes. i bet you money if he does thing i suspect is wrong i will be reporting it to the police. and if they dont do anything about it i am sure this is why we have the right to bear arms in this country, we can weed them out we will not be scared like they scare their own kind into keeping them hid. let one ask me to hid him. ha ha i will hide him 6 foot under. so america stop letting my fellow republicians put scare tatics in your heads, we can and will stop them if they try to set up camp in our country. back to OBAMA this is just what the country needs someone who is willing to try to change washington. as for McCain he is already doing like Bush his way or the highway. He knows the rules about not being able to spend more than 54 million campaigning when he went and signed up for it. then after he took the loan and spent the money he is now wanting out of the deal. so i am sure since he is another bush he will make his own rules, and get out. as for me i belive he broke the law, but bush and him will do it their way. As for clinto its time to say by to the clintons she is so stupid she cant see the republicians are running scared and voting for her just to keep her in the race. my god woman wake up. step aside let Obama start the real race. I know alot of republicians who are voting for Obama cause they do not want another 4 years of business as usual. Bush has held hiself up higher than all our laws and his republician congres with the help of Mitch McConnel has fillerbusted anything the demorcrates try to do. Kentucky Mitch was good in his years but now he has hung his career around Bush he needs to go. People like him is what is wrong with our country. Lets make our country be number 1 again. we do not need to turn anymore countries agains us like Bush has done. we need our friends and 4 more years of the same oh same oh we want have any friends left. UK is now upset with us on how this wat is going. everybody is wising up to bush but mccane and the republicians in congress. lETS GET THEM OUT OF POWER we need a change.

Posted by sam March 21, 08 04:55 PM
.

Alan Wise i agree i am also a republician and Obama is best for the job. our country does not need another Bush in office. With bushmccain you get higher gas prices which are over 3.34 now and oil over 110.00 a barrell. its not going to take a rocket sicentist to figure out soon we got to start paying for this. This war has to stop so now we have a canidate who is ready to step up and stop it lets help him get in office. If not then i hope you are all rich cause there is going to be millions and millions signing up for unemployment if this ecomomy dont get turned around. we are not the police of the world. the countries who are their neighbors are not worring or even helping us in this war, they will be effected before we will. we can always shut our borders and stop giving vista's to people without a clean background this will stop terriost from getting in our country. and beside the ones who do sneak in i dont no about the rest of my fellow americans but let me find out one lives down the street from me and watch me start watching ever move he makes. i bet you money if he does thing i suspect is wrong i will be reporting it to the police. and if they dont do anything about it i am sure this is why we have the right to bear arms in this country, we can weed them out we will not be scared like they scare their own kind into keeping them hid. let one ask me to hid him. ha ha i will hide him 6 foot under. so america stop letting my fellow republicians put scare tatics in your heads, we can and will stop them if they try to set up camp in our country. back to OBAMA this is just what the country needs someone who is willing to try to change washington. as for McCain he is already doing like Bush his way or the highway. He knows the rules about not being able to spend more than 54 million campaigning when he went and signed up for it. then after he took the loan and spent the money he is now wanting out of the deal. so i am sure since he is another bush he will make his own rules, and get out. as for me i belive he broke the law, but bush and him will do it their way. As for clinto its time to say by to the clintons she is so stupid she cant see the republicians are running scared and voting for her just to keep her in the race. my god woman wake up. step aside let Obama start the real race. I know alot of republicians who are voting for Obama cause they do not want another 4 years of business as usual. Bush has held hiself up higher than all our laws and his republician congres with the help of Mitch McConnel has fillerbusted anything the demorcrates try to do. Kentucky Mitch was good in his years but now he has hung his career around Bush he needs to go. People like him is what is wrong with our country. Lets make our country be number 1 again. we do not need to turn anymore countries agains us like Bush has done. we need our friends and 4 more years of the same oh same oh we want have any friends left. UK is now upset with us on how this wat is going. everybody is wising up to bush but mccane and the republicians in congress. lETS GET THEM OUT OF POWER we need a change.

Posted by sam March 21, 08 04:55 PM
.

god bless america we pray ......god answer our plead yes !
yes he did .now america lets go obama is the answer !!!!!!!!

Posted by jaeli April 18, 08 04:04 PM
.

god bless america we pray ......god answer our plead yes !
yes he did .now america lets go obama is the answer !!!!!!!!

Posted by jaeli April 18, 08 04:06 PM
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