Obama fundraising rivals Clinton
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By John McCormick and Mike Dorning
Chicago Tribune staff reporters
April 4, 2007, 1:28 PM CDT
Sen. Barack Obama raised at least $25 million during the first quarter for his presidential campaign, a total surprisingly close to the $26 million collected by his chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Obama actually may have raised more for the primary campaign than the former first lady, but that cannot be definitively known because the Clinton campaign has refused to say how much of its total is designated for the primary election versus the general election.
"This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country and a belief at the grassroots level that Barack Obama can bring out the best in America to solve our problems," said Penny Pritzker, Obama's finance chair.
On Sunday, Clinton (D-N.Y) reported raising $26 million during the quarter, triggering headlines nationally that she had broken fundraising records. She also plans to add in $10 million from her Senate campaign fund.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who has polled well in Iowa but trailed Clinton and Obama in national polls, reported raising $14 million during January, February and March.
Obama raised $6.9 million—more than a quarter of his total—over the Internet from more than 50,000 online donors, the Illinois Democrat's campaign said from Chicago this morning.
Responding today to the latest Obama numbers, Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said, "We are thrilled with our historic fundraising success and congratulate Sen. Obama and the entire Democratic field on their fundraising, which demonstrates the overwhelming desire for change in our country."
Overall, Obama received contributions from more than 100,000 individuals, his campaign said. Clinton received donations from about 50,000 people, while Edwards took in money from about 37,000 donors.
Obama's campaign said that at least $23.5 million of its first-quarter collection would be available for the primary campaign, an important distinction because candidates are able to raise money now for both the primary and general elections.
Clinton officials have refused to say how much of the $26 million can be used for her primary campaign, a figure that should be readily available. The Edwards' campaign, meanwhile, has said less than $1 million of his tally is designated for the general election.
People involved in Democratic fundraising have noted that many of Clinton's events required a contribution of $4,600 for access to the senator and other VIPs. That is the maximum amount allowed for an individual to donate by law, with half going for the primary and half for the general.
Obama, on the other hand, has mostly sought donations of up to $2,300, which means the bulk of his take this quarter will be available for the primary campaign. Obama also made his fundraising task more difficult by refusing to accept money from lobbyists and political action committees, unlike Clinton.
By waiting to release totals until today, the Obama campaign assured that the figures would not be lost in a flood of data from other campaigns earlier this week, possibly securing greater media attention.
A relative newcomer to national politics, Obama held dozens of fundraisers across the country, including at least three that brought in more than $1 million each. Some of the events charged as little as $25 or $100.
The ability to raise substantial sums nearly a year before the first votes will be cast is considered one of the essential early challenges for presidential campaigns.
The scramble for money is even greater this year because candidates are being forced to compete in more states, including possible primary battles in California and as many as 23 other states that may hold primaries on Feb. 5, 2008.
The decision by several leading candidates not to accept public funds for their primary campaigns also leaves them free of spending limits that previously had set a ceiling on campaign spending for most candidates. With a crowded open field of candidates in both parties, campaigns also may have to spend more on advertising to penetrate through the din to reach voters with their message.
As they confront that growing battlefield, many political strategists believe the leading candidates from each party will raise at least $100 million by the end of the year.
All of the candidates are tapping into the power of the Internet to boost their fundraising. For Obama, it has allowed him to rapidly transform excitement about his fresh political face into financial contributions.
The campaign Web sites have made it simple for an enthusiastic supporter to make a contribution on impulse, while in the past campaigns largely relied on expensive and relatively slow-moving direct mail campaigns to reach small-dollar donors.
By quietly telling reporters in recent weeks that it expected to raise $8 million to $10 million—and certainly no more than $15 million—Obama's campaign had sought to downplay expectations. The Tribune, meanwhile, reported Monday that he had raised at least $20 million.
Among the top-tier Republican candidates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has raised almost $21 million this year, giving him an early lead in the so-called "money primary."
The campaign of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, meanwhile, acknowledged disappointment earlier this week when it reported raising $12.5 million, an amount that is only somewhat more than half of what Romney raised.
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who made his inaugural trip to Iowa on Tuesday, reported raising $15 million.
The campaigns are not required to file disclosure reports for the first quarter until April 15. Those reports will give a better sense for where the money has come from and how the candidates are spending their money.
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