USA: Hillary Clinton dips into personal finances to keep up with Barack Obama's fundraising

Record ID: 590893

  • Title: USA: Hillary Clinton dips into personal finances to keep up with Barack Obama's fundraising
  • Date: 8th February 2008
  • Summary: (W5) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATE (FEBRUARY 7, 2008) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) FAIZ SHAKIR RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS SAYING: "The money is important -- one reason is because you stay in longer. If you go broke, you just can't have a campaign. I think that's the fundamental reason. But beyond that I think it's a signifying element for pundits to determine who actually has a lot of support."
  • Embargoed: 23rd February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5EF92NLNQXY2N1YTPRJOMB1WV
  • Story Text: With Democrats preparing for a long and potentially bruising presidential battle, campaign cash has become even more of a factor in the race for the nomination.
    Senator Hillary Clinton is not only battling a formidable rival in Barack Obama state-to-state-- she is also struggling to keep up with Obama's fundraising.
    The junior Senator from Illinois raised about $32 million in January alone. That compares with less than $14 million raised by the Clinton campaign-- which also relied on a $5 million loan from Senator Clinton herself.

    "I loaned it because I believe very strongly in this campaign. We had a great month of fundraising in January. Broke all records. But my opponent was able to raise more money. And we intended to be competitive. And we were."
    Fundraising -- the lifeblood of American presidential politics-- has taken on even greater importance for the two remaining Democratic contenders.

    "The money is important -- one reason is because you stay in longer.
    If you go broke, you just can't have a campaign. I think that's the fundamental reason. But beyond that I think it's a signifying element for pundits to determine who actually has a lot of support," said Faiz Shakir research director at the Center for American Progress.
    Clinton was campaigning in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday (February 7) courting voters ahead of Tuesday's (February 12) "Beltway Primary."
    Obama toured a school in New Orleans on Thursday (February 7), greeting youngsters outside their classroom. During a speech at Tulane University, the senator blamed president Bush for the slow reconstruction of the hurricane ravaved city of New Orleans.

    "Across this city, we see the evidence that George Bush's promises were empty. It's not acceptable that federal money is not reaching communities that need it or that Louisiana officials have filled out millions of forms just to get reconstruction funds," said Obama.

    "When I am president, the federal rebuilding coordinator will report directly to me and we will ensure that resources show results. It's time to cut the red tape so that the federal government is a partner, not an opponent, in getting things done here in New Orleans and here in the Gulf Coast," he added.
    Louisiana has its primary on Saturday (February 9th).
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