Clinton campaign working to erase debts

[DeepModem Mom]

Chicago Tribune: Clinton campaign working to erase debts
N.Y. senator's video: I need your help
By Rick Pearson and Mark Silva | Tribune reporters
April 1, 2008

In a new Internet video, Hillary Clinton acknowledged to potential contributors Monday that "running for president is an arduous undertaking." In the extended battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, it's also an expensive one. Challenged to compete with Barack Obama's surprising and unparalleled fundraising ability, Clinton's campaign ended February with more than $8.7 million in debts during a period in which she lent her effort $5 million, federal records show. Obama, in contrast, reported $625,058 in debts.

Clinton, a proponent of universal health care, listed having nearly $300,000 in unpaid invoices from health insurance firms that cover her staff. Her campaign also listed owing $3,161 to her Park Ridge alma mater, Maine South High School, where her campaign held an event on Feb. 4, the day before the Illinois primary. Jay Carson, a Clinton campaign spokesman, said many of the debts were simply matters of paperwork and timing, explaining that invoices the campaign had not paid as of the end of February must be listed as debt, even if they arrived the last day of the reporting period. Carson said many obligations had been paid during March, including the debt to Maine South, which was paid on Monday....

Clinton set a goal of raising $3 million in March. In her video on the Internet, she contended, "We are going to do this. But I am being outspent 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, even 5-1, so I need your help now more than ever."

In total through February, Obama has outraised Clinton $197.3 million to $173.9 million, and each campaign reported it had more than $30 million in cash available to compete at the beginning of March. But Clinton, who has relied on large donors more than Obama, also has been feeling pressure as her contributors have reached the maximum on what they can give while Obama has been able to go back to smaller donors for more money.

Among the outstanding invoices for February recorded by Clinton's campaign were nearly $229,000 to Aetna Healthcare of Chicago and almost $63,000 to CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield of Baltimore for employee benefit coverage. Carson, the Clinton spokesman, said no health-care coverage for any employee was interrupted. "The campaign pays its bills regularly and in the normal course of business, and pays all of its bills," Carson said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-clinton-debts_tueapr01,0,3034660.story

[babylonsister]

1. Um, didn't Wolfson say yesterday this was blown out of proportion

and they had no unpaid debts? Which is it? Was he calling the people who were owed money liars or not? Who's lying? :shrug:

[damntexdem]

2. No, no, HIllary! You're supposed to PAY those bills.

Don't just erase them from your books.

;-)