Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

by Jonathan Singer, Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 03:38:52 PM EDT

ABC's Jake Tapper has the scoop.

ABC News has learned that the $23.5 million Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., raised for his presidential campaign for use in the primaries is more than that raised by the Democratic frontrunner, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.
Of the $26 million Clinton has raised in the first quarter of 2007 for her presidential campaign, approximately $20 million is to be used in the primaries and caucuses, sources told ABC News.
Clinton campaign officials cautioned that its campaign was still ascertaining how much of its $26 million raised is available for primary use.
Sources told ABC News that while that is accurate, roughly $20 million is designated for the primary -- it could be slightly less or slightly more. Either way, Obama raised more primary cash than Clinton.

The Hotline also seemed to have this story nailed down earlier in the day, so it seems fairly credible. The folks at The Hotline in fact add an interesting wrinkle to the story.

We understand, from talking to a senior Obama campaign adviser, that Obama's finance team realized fairly quickly the folly of raising for both the general and the primary, and once receipts started to come in more quickly than anticipated, a decision was made to reduce the number of $4600 events.

It's not entirely clear to me if this is an attempt to spin the fact that Obama received fewer general election dollars than Clinton or if it instead reflects a genuine determination that it is not worth it for Obama to raise general election funds. Either way, this new report, coupled with the news that Obama had more individual donors than Clinton and Edwards combined, indicates that whatever preconceived notions there were about the money side of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination are going to need to be thrown out the window.

Tags: 2008, Democratic primaries (all tags)

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

The reason why this is so awesome , is because it gives Obama an opportunity to get out there , talk to the people and re butt all the lies about him in the Media and other outlets while sharing his message and showing America that they no longer have to hold their nose when they go to the polls.

by ObamaEdwards2008 2007-04-04 03:43PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Between the Obama fundraising coup, the steady emergence of Richardson, and the Edwards mini-surge - this field is opening wider all the time!

by LandStander 2007-04-04 03:48PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Emergence of Richardson? I haven't really seen his numbers going up.

by yitbos96bb 2007-04-04 07:38PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Do Straw Polls count?
I think my perception of an emergence is due to his decent fundraising and higher public profile (I have been seeing and hearing a lot from him recently, and this North Korea gig sounds promising).
But yeah, the polls don't back that up.

by LandStander 2007-04-04 09:12PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Clinton's base is the corporate fatcats, who tried to contribute to her aura of invincibility by contributing the maximum for both the primary and general election campaigns. Obama's base is much smaller donors, people who don't write $4,600 checks 19 months before the election. The people who've given $4,600 to Clinton are now maxed out, while Obama's small donors can give again in every quarter for the next two years.
Clinton is in deep, deep trouble.

by Ron Thompson 2007-04-04 03:50PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Yep. I've only given about 25 % of my Maximum and intend to max out.

by ObamaEdwards2008 2007-04-04 04:06PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

That's about where I am...and I haven't even gotten Mrs. Rashomon to donate yet.

I think the best thing Obama did was reach out to young professional donors like me...by making sure he did lots of $100 donation events in the same city as the $2300 events. Less money at a time, but way more long term support.

by rashomon 2007-04-04 04:46PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Indeed. Just like it says on the website.

We're Just Getting Started

by ObamaEdwards2008 2007-04-04 05:17PM | 0 recs

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And upcoming is a $25 event in Milwaukee

in which I'll be present. I figure its nothing to me to make a recurring donation once a month...if I can get a pizza every so often I can instead help out the campaign.

by mihan 2007-04-04 05:17PM | 0 recs

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Re: And upcoming is a $25 event in Milwaukee

It's people like you who will win this for Obama and change politics in a way that would have been unimaganable following Bush's 9/11 fear campaign. I'm lucky enough to make a good living so at the rate I'm going I will max out for the guy but I can see Obama having a million doners by the time this is over and that will translate into overwhelming victory over both Hillary and the GOP.

by nevadadem 2007-04-04 05:26PM | 0 recs

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Re: And upcoming is a $25 event in Milwaukee

yeah, I'm a student at the University of Wisconsin, transplanted from Oregon via the military, Michigan and Kentucky, and while right now $25 is a lot for me, I'm glad that I have the chance to go and see my guy in person and contribute. You know Hillary would never hold a $25 a head fundraiser. Ever.

by mihan 2007-04-04 07:13PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

What about the $25 events? That was genius to me... Get people in as donors and then they are more likely to give again later.

by yitbos96bb 2007-04-04 07:39PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

I don't know about Clinton being in "deep, deep trouble", but it's probably fair to say that the narrative isn't developing the way she and her camp expected it to.

I don't really feel all that strongly about any of the Dem candidates except Hillary (whom I seriously object to). I think just about any of the non-Hillarys would make a strong Democratic nominee and a fine President. So while I'm not particularly an Obama supporter -- I wish he'd go for the jugular against Hillary on the war, and I wish he'd add some more bite to his messaging -- I do treat his fundraising as a very encouraging development.

That said, Hillary is the establishment candidate. It's going to take A LOT of moolah to ultimately beat her -- she's got advantages that go beyond money. Obama is performing very well (as is Edwards), but he needs to show he's got the stomach for a real fight. And his tendency to tumble into Republican frames doesn't help his case...

by Master Jack 2007-04-04 06:01PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Some of my money is part of that 25 mil.
and knowing that he beat Hillary at that.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

by vwcat 2007-04-04 04:08PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Awesome. Just as I thought.

by jallen 2007-04-04 04:17PM | 0 recs

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Yup...

the inevitability meme is dead. This thing is wide open...which is great news for Edwards supporters as well.

Edwards has some solid momentum right now...I just wish the genesis of his press hadn't been Elizabeth's health. Fortunately, some good news for her yesterday...

by rashomon 2007-04-04 04:52PM | 0 recs

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Re: Yup...

Edwards is sitting pretty right now. It's always better to surge just before the end. I like Obama too. Compared to past presidential campaigns this seems like an embarrassment of riches.

by anothergreenbus 2007-04-04 06:09PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Thanks Jonathon for a bona fide front page post!

by aiko 2007-04-04 04:25PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

That did not deserve a 0 Cilderer86

by yitbos96bb 2007-04-04 07:44PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

I didn't think so either and so I uprated it as well.

by maddogg 2007-04-05 06:38AM | 0 recs

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good for obama

Hillary is bad for democracy and the Democratic party.

congrats to Obama - now do something positive with all this cash!

by TarHeel 2007-04-04 04:37PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

People Vote. Money Don't.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/4/4/20450 /31696

Take this poll.

by ObamaEdwards2008 2007-04-04 04:53PM | 0 recs

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Might be a dumb question

but does the money the senators have raised before this and transferred to their presidential account count towards the 1Q fundraising numbers?

by fbihop 2007-04-04 05:08PM | 0 recs

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Re: Might be a dumb question

Hillary transfered an additional 10 mill from her account. Her numbers, counting that, are 36 mill to Obama's 26, or something like that. Hope that helps.

by Sam L 2007-04-04 05:19PM | 0 recs

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Re: Might be a dumb question

Thanks! Actually, someone else just told me this, and I thought I'd come back to answer myself, but looks like you beat me to it.

by fbihop 2007-04-04 07:30PM | 0 recs

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hillary is more polarizing than bush

this is tremendous news for america.

one of hillary's main attractions has been her inevitibility.

that took a major hit today.

obama will pass her in the national polls by memorial day.

by PatriotAct1984 2007-04-04 05:09PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

Obama wants to be known as the underdog but looking at the fundraising and the demographics of dem primary voters he's the favorite. Does anyone really think that if he's known as a co-frontrunner to be the first black nominee he isn't going to get an overwhelming share of 25% african american primary vote, now he has and will continue to raise the money to organize those voters.

by nevadadem 2007-04-04 05:15PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

"I think the best thing Obama did was reach out to young professional donors like me...by making sure he did lots of $100 donation events in the same city as the $2300 events. Less money at a time, but way more long term support."

I think rashoman is right. The Clinton campaign made a calculation to go after the bigger bucks first and did very, very few low donor events in conjunction with high dollars venues.

That was a decision on their part and they are scrambling to keep up.

by debcoop 2007-04-04 06:12PM | 0 recs

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I don't think Hillary had a choice

she just doesn't have the kind of broad grassroots support or interest that Obama has, she can't beat him on the small donations. Inevitablity works for the big checks maybe, but not the small ones that add up quick and wont dry up so easily.

And if her big donors have dried up some by maxing, she's going to have a rough 2nd quarter

by okamichan13 2007-04-04 07:44PM | 0 recs

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Re: I don't think Hillary had a choice

Yep... My prediction is she comes in 3rd in Q2... Obama and Edwards both beat her... Obama bulls $30 mill and Edwards $20 mill, to Hillary's $15 mill.

by yitbos96bb 2007-04-04 08:33PM | 0 recs

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I hope you are right

I definitely think Obama will beat Clinton in 2nd Q fundraising.

It will be hard for Edwards to pull in $20 million, but if he raises about the same amount he did in 1st Q it should be enough to compete credibly in the early states. As we've seen, huge money can roll in in a matter of days once momentum is established.

by desmoinesdem 2007-04-04 09:27PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

There needs to be some attention paid to the fact Hillary Clinton
didn't actually compete head-to-head on a level playing field with
Barak Obama. Does any one honestly think Hillary would have raised $26
million without the help of her husband Bill? The Clinton campaign
needs to be pressed on how much Hillary raised at her events and how
much was raised by Bill. I suspect she would have reported something
close to what Edwards did, $14 million. The New York Times reported
last week that Bill was used in 17 fundraisers over the course of
6 weeks by the Clinton campaign this quarter. Lets say he only raises
a quarter million at each event, which is low balling it considerably,
he brings in $4.25 million. Barak on the other hand raised $26 million
without the star power of the biggest name in democratic politics.
Even more so, the Clinton campaign did not report the overwhelming
first quarter numbers they were widely expected to report. The media
needs to question why Clinton only reported raising money from only
50,000 contributors when there have been news reports she has access
to a list of 250,000 supporters her and Bill have maintained over 20
years. And the American people need to ask themselves if its fair that
Bill finances his wife's campaign.

by tparish 2007-04-04 08:14PM | 0 recs

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Interesting Questions

You are right. These are interesting questions that deserve answers.

In particular, a few days ago, the New York Times reported that Hillary Clinton had a database of 250,000 supporters. If this number is accurate, then 80% of Hillary Clinton's supporters decided not to contribute to her campaign. If this 80% failure rate is true, then Hillary Clinton's campaign REALLY dropped the ball in the first quarter.

Something's fishy here. The numbers just don't add up. The New York Times credibility is on the line here. Were the Times and its subscribers "played" by the Clinton campaign with that 250,000 supporters figure?

Bottom line, the New York Times should ask their favorite presidential candidate about all of this.

by Demo37 2007-04-04 09:52PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama Comes in First for Q1 Primary Dollars

I was impressed that Obama's camp called us to ask for a donation so early in the game. That told me they had their s@#$ together early -- I didn't get any calls from Hillary (no way would she get any of our $$, as much as I'd love to get behind a female candidate) or Edwards (who I like and also would contribute to). So we pitched in $25 to Barrack, but A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE THE ELECTION. That is unprecedented for our household. More will be coming, I'm sure.

Go Obama. I hope you wipe the floor with The Candidate Formerly Known as Inevitable.

by Oregonian 2007-04-04 08:42PM | 0 recs

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I don't think the Edwards campaign

has been working the phones much at all for donations. Some people might possibly be turned off by aggressive calling this early.

by okamichan13 2007-04-05 03:09AM | 0 recs

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Re: I don't think the Edwards campaign

Actually, I got a call from the Edwards campaign asking for a donation before the deadline last week. They even called back after the first time I pulled my usual "he's not here...can I take a message?".

Apparently the call was based on my donation in the 2004 cycle...so obviously they were hitting the donor list to get a big Q1 number.

by rashomon 2007-04-05 01:38PM | 0 recs