Campaign cash: Here's what we learned from this month's FEC reports

CBS ^ | 4/21/16 | Emily Schultheis

[markomalley]

It's that time again: all the 2016 hopefuls (and also-rans) have filed their monthly campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission, giving us some insight into how they raise and spend money.

Campaign finance reports can say a lot about a candidate: once the reports are online, they show everything from which hotel chains Hillary Clinton's campaign likes to stay in to how much money Donald Trump's staff spent on pizza, so we'll have an update when the reports publish over the next few days.

But they also give us clues as to a campaign's strategy and viability going forward, something that's especially important now that the respective primary fields are narrowed down for the final stretch of primaries to just five candidates: Clinton, Trump, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Here are CBS News' biggest takeaways from the March FEC reports:

[X-spurt]

Noting that, conspicuously and conveniently, SeeBS failed to include any data on Cruz, aside a tiny unfavorable editorialized snippet “As the campaign hits a critical stage for the five remaining candidates, all of them are burning through their campaign cash relatively quickly.”

Inquiring minds want to know why SeeBS failed to include contribution or cash on hand data on Cruz and most curious why a Trump supporter would try to dishonestly and embellishingly polish this pro-Trump article as some significant revelation. Most, without a Trump bias, will easily and rightly see this as propaganda.

Trump people want to cry about fair? Fair works both ways.

[X-spurt]

so you surmise that Trump’s “reality show campaign” of getting Billions of free TV time will reflect the reality of POTUS? If this Trump “reality show” carries on into the office, we all will be in for some mighty rude reality.

[X-spurt]

After reloading the SeeBS site it this time did post the article beyond #3 and did show Cruz’s financials.

My apology.

[grania]

Deep-pocket donors might decide to try to save their merchandise in the HOR and US Senate. Ryan and many others are on the slate to be Cantorized. (fingers crossed)

[Iowa David]

Deleted...however there are Cruz supporters or ex Cruz supporters who get the same email. It was on the 20th after 6 or 7 PM that I got the email

[south jersey baller]

I actually heard my first Trump ad yesterday on Philly radio.. and it was an anti Kaisich ad, it didn’t even mention Cruz LMAO.

[LNV]

Deleted. Can’t say I’m surprised.

[lodi90]

I actually heard my first Trump ad yesterday on Philly radio.. and it was an anti Kaisich ad, it didn’t even mention Cruz LMAO.

---

Here in NE Florida the only mailer I got was Trump. I did hear Trump radio ads close to my primary day. So he is spending some money, anyway.

The anti-Trump campaign was a total failure in FL. Spent $30 mil or whatever and didn’t move the race ONE POINT. I suspect that is why the anti-Trumpers are pulling their support for Cruz. It simply doesn’t work.