Obama, Clinton Amp Up Fundraising
By Matthew Mosk
Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are continuing their efforts to turn the burst of momentum each gained out of their respective early contest victories into cash.
Media experts estimate it could cost $40 million to wage even a targeted television ad campaign in the nearly two dozen states with Feb. 5 primaries, and so both candidates are shifting into overdrive to raise the needed funds.
Clinton has scheduled a D.C. donor briefing that will feature former president Bill Clinton, campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe and finance director Jonathan Mantz. And she has scheduled a second donor briefing in Los Angeles that she will personally oversee.
The Clinton campaign has also planned a round-table session for "Maxed Out Women" in Washington, also for next week, "to discuss how women's voices are helping to shape this election and how we can mobilize our collective efforts," according to an e-mail sent to top female donors to the Clinton campaign. Senior campaign advisers Guy Cecil, Minyon Moore and Lissa Muscatine will brief that crowd.
Obama, meanwhile, has moved to quickly capitalize on his Thursday endorsement from the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John F. Kerry. Kerry sent an e-mail Thursday night to those on his own donor list -- said to be one of the larger e-mail lists in the party, with more than 3 million names -- asking them to support Obama and providing a link to donate money. One bonus of that link for the Illinois senator is that anyone on Kerry's e-mail list who clicks the link will be added to Obama's list for future solicitations.
But the list is only half the story. Robert Crowe, a Boston attorney who is chief executive of WolfBlock Public Strategies and a longtime fundraiser for Kerry, said he was close to joining the Obama camp. He said he expected Kerry's endorsement to bring along a number of top Kerry donors. "We have a very good fundraising list," Crowe said. "We have lots of friends around the country that I'm sure are going to be helpful."
Posted at 4:23 PM ET on Jan 11, 2008
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Comments
Posted by: tjshire | January 17, 2008 10:06 PM | Report abuse
Barack Obama will accomplish real change in Washington. He is not as experienced in political gamesmanship as Hillary. He does not need to manipulate the system, he will change it. His message is resonating from Maine to Los Angeles.With record INDIVIDUAL donations, record crowds to hear him speak,and an individual record of community service on behalf of common people.Instead of taking on high paying jobs, when they were offered, he chose helping others for $13,000 per year and a beat up car.With Barack Obama what you see is what you get. No carefully scripted,robotic comments with mechanical gestures. Barack Obama speaks from his heart. While others make a big deal about race and political divides Barack Obama lets it be known that America is a country that was built on Liberty and Justice FOR ALL. All indicators point to he fact that he would beat the Republican nominee in more cases than Hillary would. A Hillary Cinton victory will mobilize the Republican right like never seen in history.While Barack Obama has the respect and admiration of colleagues on the other side of he aisle. Barack Obama took Iowa with a very strong margin and he lost New Hampshire by a small margin. The national Polls are closing and will continue to close until Barack Obama overtakes her. Barack Obama is picking up large endorsements from respected Democratic leaders and individuals on a very regular basis. Now that more and more Americans are being exposed the Barack Obama you will see logarithmic growth to his support, as those who wanted to vote for him but did not think that he could win, join the march for true change.
Barack Obama does not have the personal and political baggage that Hillary Clinton has.Hillary is a great American and a good person but we need to support the candidate that has proven he can reach out and get a firm grip on consensus and effectively end the gridlock caused by partisan politics..We need Obama ,not the drama.
Posted by: eSPO1 | January 13, 2008 10:43 AM | Report abuse
Kerry is a good man, and he picked a winner in Obama.
Posted by: akonitum | January 11, 2008 9:03 PM | Report abuse
The picture of Kerry hugging Obama made me cringe. One loser of the past hugging a candidate seeking change...how laughable and ironic.
Posted by: nroman26 | January 11, 2008 7:42 PM | Report abuse
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Obama is the breath of fresh air our country needs. He has a history of working well with people across the political spectrum and up to this point, has been the adult in this race. He earns my respect every time he speaks. Our nation could use a leader of his caliber.