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Obama raised $41 million in March; McCain pulled in $15 million
AP ^ | April 21st, 2008 | JIM KUHNHENN

Posted on 04/20/2008 10:27:44 PM PDT by The_Republican

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama raised $41 million in March and had $42 million available to spend against debt-ridden Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in April, campaign finance reports filed Sunday show.

Clinton reported raising $20 million in March and had $9 million for the primary available at the beginning of April. But she also reported debts of $10.3 million, putting her in the red.

Overall, Obama had $51 million in the bank at the end of March, with nearly $9 million of that available only for the general election.

The money positioned Obama to undertake an expensive April campaign in Pennsylvania, where he has outspent Clinton and cut into her lead. Pennsylvania votes on Tuesday.

Obama's fundraising in March led all candidates, but was still lower than the mark he set in February, when he raised more than $55 million. He has raised $235 million in his campaign.

Clinton was expected to file her report with the Federal Election Commission by the midnight deadline.

Republican John McCain's report showed he raised $15.2 million and had $11.6 million in the bank. The Arizona senator's March figures were his best fundraising performance of the campaign.

Obama spent $30.6 million in March — a month that began with tough contests for the Illinois senator in Ohio and Texas. He lost the popular vote to Clinton in both state primaries even though he outspent her, but he emerged with more delegates in Texas.

His report showed he spent $9 million on media advertising, an amount mostly spent in final days before the March 4 Ohio and Texas primaries. Obama did spend money in March for ads in Pennsylvania and Indiana, which votes May 6. But he held off on most of his big ad spending until April, permitting him to build up his cash on hand.

Obama reported owing more than $660,000 to various vendors. Beside advertising, his other major expenses were nearly $5 million in telemarketing and $3.6 million for travel and lodging.

In keeping with his trend, California was Obama's go-to fundraising state, generating nearly $4.6 million in contributions in March. New York was next with nearly $3.2 million.

Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said $15 million of Clinton's $20 million was raised over the Internet. He said the campaign has raised $60 million over the Internet since Jan. 1. The surge of online support suggests she is attracting more small-dollar donors, but contributors who give larger amounts could also be encouraged to give online.

The March figures do not include the $2.5 million she raised last week at an Elton John concert in New York. Carson said the event's total sum included money from 6,000 new donors.

Clinton spent $22.2 million in March.

McCain in March refunded donors about $3 million in contributions, most of it money he had received for the general election. The refunds set the stage for McCain to accept about $84 million in public funds for the fall campaign. Candidates who accept public financing cannot raise money from donors for the general election campaign.

McCain's biggest expense of the month was $3 million to Fidelity & Trust Bank to finish paying off a $4 million loan that had become the focus of a stalemate between McCain and the FEC. Campaign finance regulators want to make sure McCain did not use the promise of public financing in the primary to secure the loan. McCain was eligible for public financing in the primary, but his lawyers said they did not use that eligibility as collateral.

In March, his operating expenses were $5 million, his smallest monthly expense so far this year.

McCain's March expenses ranged from $758,000 for air charters to $151.55 to a Los Angeles florist. The campaign reported a debt of $707,000, much of it outstanding American Express billings. McCain had his most fundraising success in California and Florida, each of which yielded more than $1 million.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: blueturban; hillarybroke; mccainchuggingalong; obamaloaded
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1 posted on 04/20/2008 10:27:45 PM PDT by The_Republican
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To: The_Republican

So, so far Obama has spent about $200m?


2 posted on 04/20/2008 10:31:09 PM PDT by paudio (Michelle Obama: a Typical Black Woman)
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To: The_Republican

So that’s where the 3.50 a gal is going!


3 posted on 04/20/2008 10:32:41 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist (If you're not following Jesus, just who are you following, and where are they leading you?)
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: The_Republican

Scary when a President Obama will truly be disastrous for the entire U.S.(not that either a President Hillary Clinton or a President McCain will truly be a lot better)!


5 posted on 04/20/2008 10:37:44 PM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore (Vote for conservatives AT ALL POLITICAL LEVELS! Encourage all others to do the same on November 4!)
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To: The_Republican
Not worried in the least.

Barack Obama's battle has gone into extra innings, while McCain threw a shutout.

Meanwhile, John McCain is traveling, acting presidential, while Barry is finally being vetted by the treasonous MSM.

When the conventions are history, the Republicans will come through with the cash.

6 posted on 04/20/2008 10:38:17 PM PDT by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: The_Republican

The Real Obama Story Exposed!
by JB Williams (4/14/08)

...What About All that Obama Campaign Money?

Obama has set historical records in campaign fund raising. But where is all that money coming from since it can’t be coming from the “poor” American citizens he claims to represent?

For starters, Obama’s campaign site asks donors “which country” they are from, openly indicating that campaign contribution to the Obama campaign are coming from all over the world, not just all over America. The Obama campaign MUST disclose which countries he is receiving campaign contributions from and why…

Just as Obama through his “Friends of Obama” organization sent almost a million dollars to support his cousin’s campaign for socialist power in Kenya, it appears very likely that socialists and anti-American thugs are also participating in the American election process by sending foreign funds to the Obama campaign here in the states.

Short of forced full disclosure from the Obama campaign, it is not easy to establish the money trail beyond any reasonable doubt.

Fortunately, Obama has been campaigning as a “full disclosure agent of change.” So his campaign and his minions should have no objection to immediate full disclosure regarding where all that campaign money is coming from, specifically out of the country....


7 posted on 04/20/2008 10:38:20 PM PDT by Anti-Hillary (Yo Obama! IF FOR 20 YEARS YOU STAY IN THE PEW, IT'S BECAUSE YOU SHARE THE VIEW!!!!!)
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To: The_Republican
Wow. The big news here, again, is how badly McCain is doing in the fundraising department, even after he's secured the nomination. There's a LOT of conservative money sitting on the sidelines waiting for his VP pick, I guess. In my case, I'll need to see a solid conservative on the ticket before I pony up.

And Flip Romney is NOT my idea of a solid conservative. Two libs on the ticket would be a nightmare.
8 posted on 04/20/2008 10:40:59 PM PDT by Antoninus (Tell us how you came to Barack?)
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To: Anti-Hillary

I bet befoire Indiana Primary and tries to make hay out of it. She can’t afford to lose Indiana.

Sure Obama would have no choice but to bring up the entire History of Klintons treasons.

However, that hurts him because that works against his pitch of being a “different kind of candidate”. Gutter politics always favors Klintons and they would LOVE negativer campaigning from Obama.

Besides, if Klinton picks up on this “foreign donations” theme, FNC, and Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity would dedicate entire time to hammer him on this theme. Obama’s shaky reputation with respect to Patriotism would get weaker.

Hildabeast’s crew must not be reading FR lately. If they did, they would be on top of this.


9 posted on 04/20/2008 10:43:18 PM PDT by The_Republican (Ovaries of the World Unite! Rush, Laura, Ann, Greta - Time for the Ovulation!)
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To: Antoninus

I’ll throw Lamar Alexander out there.


10 posted on 04/20/2008 10:43:50 PM PDT by eyedigress (If you aren't voting who cares about your opinion.)
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To: The_Republican

Obama NEEDS the $41 million for damage control.


11 posted on 04/20/2008 10:45:06 PM PDT by JennysCool (They all say they want change, but theyÂ’re really after folding money.)
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: Anti-Hillary

My guess is tht this is Soros’ and lord knows who else’s money being funneled through online donations using bots.


13 posted on 04/20/2008 10:52:45 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (It takes a father to raise a child.)
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To: The_Republican

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YF7ggCG6g

Watch and let your blood boil!!!!


14 posted on 04/20/2008 11:11:40 PM PDT by Anti-Hillary (Yo Obama! IF FOR 20 YEARS YOU STAY IN THE PEW, IT'S BECAUSE YOU SHARE THE VIEW!!!!!)
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To: The_Republican
> Hildabeast’s crew must not be reading FR lately. If they did, they would be on top of this.

Nah, they're reading us. But they probably figure it's a double-cross -- planted to make them do the wrong thing. LOL.

15 posted on 04/20/2008 11:17:17 PM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: eyedigress

I hope you mean under a bus. I look forward to that RINO’s retirement ASAFP.


16 posted on 04/20/2008 11:18:40 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~~~***Just say NO to the "O"***~~~)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

He will be a player, just wait. Maryville HS Grad who will be pushed by the electorate. He has a flat-tax coming out soon and well see how that gets recepted. :^)


17 posted on 04/20/2008 11:28:12 PM PDT by eyedigress (If you aren't voting who cares about your opinion.)
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To: Anti-Hillary

Obama is supported by the worst of America’s enemies. They love his message of “hope.” Their hope is to destroy America as a world power. They see Obama as the means to achieve that goal. His supporters include Hamas and their friend Jimmy Carter, George Soros who has vowed to cut this country down to size, Farrakhan, Reverend Wright, Al Sharpton and Jane Fonda. The list of his America hating supporters is endless. Obama is the greatest internal threat to our freedom and way of life that I’ve seen in my lifetime. The American people must be made aware of the truth about this wolf in sheep’s clothing.


18 posted on 04/20/2008 11:39:39 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY ((((Truth to a Liberal, is like a crucifix to a vampire))))
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To: The_Republican

The only “problem”:) with the math is the Rats are spending all their money .


19 posted on 04/20/2008 11:50:19 PM PDT by Deetes (God Bless the Troops)
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To: Antoninus

Actually, McCain is doing pretty well. The trick here are that the Clinton and Obama numbers include money they’ve been raising for the General Election - which they can’t spend during the primary. McCain isn’t raising GE money because he’s taken the public funding for the fall.

Indeed, reading between the lines, McCain might well be in a better financial position than Obama - in terms of cash on hand.


20 posted on 04/20/2008 11:50:20 PM PDT by furquhart (John S. McCain for President)
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