Clinton Camp Expects Obama to Beat Them by Over $10 Million

[ariesgem]

In an election campaign on track to be the most expensive in U.S. history, the presidential candidates are making a final week push for fundraising dollars.

However, some presidential campaigns — including the one run by leading Democratic candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. — are busily lowering expectations this week.

Clinton's campaign officials are suggesting that her chief Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., could beat her by over $10 million.

Clinton 3rd Quarter Expectation: No More than $20 Million

Clinton is holding fundraisers this week in New York and California.

According to a Clinton campaign aide, they expect to raise $17 million to $20 million in the third quarter, and suggested Obama's campaign has brought in over $30 million, thanks, in large part, to online donations.

The Clinton campaign hints that Obama's Internet supporters will put him over the top in the third quarter.

"They have an advantage," the Clinton aide said. "For us, the summer is slow, because we've maxed out far more of our donors than they have."

The Battle for Fundraising Dollars

The two leading Democratic frontrunners have been battling for fundraising dollars since the campaign began. Even though Clinton had more cash on hand than Obama in the first quarter, he outraised her in both the first and second quarters.

"This is traditionally a tough quarter, but we're pleased with our level of support," Clinton spokesperson Blake Zeff said about the campaign's expected third quarter fundraising totals.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3644382&page=1

[Colobo]

1. He will beat hear by less than $10 million, I think.

Something around $5 million.

[ElizabethDC]

2. Probably right, since her people are trying to lower their expectations n/t

[TheWraith]

7. They've had a problem with that, though.

Last time, they said they expected him to beat her. And then he did.

What happens if it really is a $10 million margin, this time?

[Colobo]

8. It would be a beautiful thing to watch, let me tell you.

[ElizabethDC]

9. Oh, I don't think they're entirely making it up

he's going to beat her in fundraising, and perhaps by a lot. But he's been beating her in fundraising all along, and she's still the frontrunner, so I don't know how much of an effect the totals will have on the race.

[silverweb]

3. Well, I tossed another dime into the pot today.

I'll never have to worry about maxing out, so I throw what I can into the mix as often as I can.

GObama!

[illinoisprogressive]

5. we are throwing some in at the end of the week.

[silverweb]

14. It all adds up!

:thumbsup:

[illinoisprogressive]

4. Time for the campaigns to spin and lower expectations.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Somebody Better Tell All Those Obama Contributors...

...that resistance is futile. They seem to be confused.

[silverweb]

11. Fat chance of that.

Not with _Captain United_ on our side!

:D

[Herman Munster]

12. you know what they say

money can't buy you love.

[flpoljunkie]

19. More lowballing from the Clinton camp, whining that their supporters are maxed out! You don't say!

And in advance of that, there's the battle for the top-fundraiser's spot. Let the spin begin, and feel free to supply your own salt: "An aide to Clinton's campaign tells ABC News that they expect to have raised between $17 and $20 million in the third quarter fundraising period between July 1 and Sept. 30, and suggested the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will raise over $30 million, thanks in large part to online donations," ABC's Jennifer Parker reports.

Per the Clinton camp, her donors were on vacation in July and August (does that mean Obama's donor base simply works harder?). Not to be outdone, a high-ranking Obama aide tells The Note that they're likely to land in the $17-$19 million range -- and that they expect Clinton to hit $35 million (!) for the quarter. (We'll order extra salt for that last figure.)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3105288&page=1

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Did I Say $10 Million? I Meant $50 Million. Yeah, that's it... $50 Million....

Does anyone really take it seriously when campaigns play these games?

Answer: ABC News, of course!

Really a fantastic piece of journalism. To notch stuff, guys.

[woodsprite]

13. Not to worry

Bush or Rove will probably cover the 10 mill.

[provis99]

15. with all the cash Clinton takes from lobbyists

and corporations, she STILL can't beat Obama in fundraising? Whats the point of selling your soul to a corporate master if they don't deliver you the big $$?

[JNelson6563]

16. Very interesting

When will these numbers come out?

Julie

[rinsd]

17. Campaigns may put out figures after Sept 31st but FEC reports come out Oct 15th (nt)

[Clintonista2]

18. Good for him! Just proves that money can't make a great campaign

[Dawgs]

20. That makes ZERO sense - ZERO!!!

[Clintonista2]

23. Well, he raises 10mil more than Hillary, yet she is mopping the floor with him

Make sense now?

[Forkboy]

21. It proves to me that he's sitting on a bleedin' great wad of cash...

That he's itchin' to spend in Q4.

[zulchzulu]

22. Paging Jimmy Carville... paging Jiminy Carville....

Hey Jimmy, how can we say that flaccid contributions compared to what we're trying to brand as a fading campaign is, um... good? Get Vinod on the horn and get some poll numbers splattered on CNN...pronto! And get back to me about how getting less money from contributors is a good thing... you're a genius, Jimmy...tell Mary Bubba said howdy...

:rofl: