Kerry Outspends Bush in May by $10 Million

[JI7]

<WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry outspent President Bush by about $10 million in May and started this month with less than half as much campaign cash left as his GOP rival.

Both candidates have been raising and spending money at a record-breaking pace.

Kerry now holds the Democratic presidential record in both areas, reaching at least $148.5 million raised _ including roughly $6 million in loans _ and just under $121 million spent.

Bush has set an all-time presidential record with at least $218 million raised and $152 million spent.>


http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/06/20/ap/headlines/d83b60fo0.txt

[struggle4progress]

1. Oh! Thanks for reminding me! Gotta give Kerry a few bucks!

:bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

2. i sent him $100 bucks last week

and i really couldn't afford it, but did it anyway

[Maat]

3. Couldn't really afford it, either, but ...

couldn't afford not to ... in view of my daughter's future. Hope there is a democracy for her to enjoy in her adulthood, ten years from now.

[alittlelark]

4. We got our Kerry mailer this week

Should we max our donations - due to the convention cut-off: or give 1/2 and give the rest later?

Hubby and I were debating in the car earlier............

[mia]

6. Thanks to Visa,

I'm maxing out before the cut-off, can't think of a better investment. Let's hope that Kerry picks a VP in time to raise lots more dollars.

By the way, Teresa will be at a fundraiser this evening at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami.

[llmart]

5. Maybe this will put an end to.....

reporters constantly referring to "Bush's war chest". How many times did we hear that mantra earlier in the campaign? Don't hear it that much any more, now do we? Also, I haven't heard "popular war president" much anymore either. What passes for journalism in this country is amazing.

Time to send Kerry more money. I only have a part time job, but I've sent him some already and will send more. I heard that 75% of his money comes from grassroots donations in small amounts. Come on everyone at DU - pony up whatever you can. Every little bit helps!

[uptown ruler]

7. get em kerry

Spreading The Word
The Irony Curtain Shop

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. I'm not sure I'm happy about this

Personally, if I were Kerry I'd pool all my money and not spend a dime of it until after the convention.

Money spent now is money wasted. Save it all for the final push.

[Misunderestimator]

10. He's gotta spend it BEFORE the convention....

And then the fund-raising starts all over again. (Or is it before the Republican convention... not clear on that.) I think he's doing the right thing.

I sent him another $100 last week too.... Go Kerry!!

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. I thought he had to RAISE it before the convention

Not spend it. I thought you're able to spend the money you raise whenever you want to, but you can't accept donations after the convention.

Maybe I'm wrong (probably am).

[Misunderestimator]

12. Just found this.... that indicates that spending is limited after the...

convention.

"Once the party convention is over July 29, Kerry's campaign will be funded with about $75 million in taxpayer money and limited to spending only that amount. With the Republican convention scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, President George W. Bush would get a longer period to spend the money he raised during the primary season before facing the same restrictions. "

from here: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=azbsW6v93NoU&refer=us

[Ernesto]

14. I spoke with a gal @ Kerry's national HQ

She told me that they would love the $$$$ to keep coming even after he accepts the nomination. Seems that there are plenty of loop holes on how they can use the cash for expenses even after JK gets the federal cash....... Keep it comin on DUers!

[Misunderestimator]

16. Yes... on the site I linked above it says that....

They are limited to $75 million in federal money to spend... but that after the convention, they can hand over all the unspent money they have collected to other organizations, like the DNC, to use the money in support of his campaign. According to what you heard from the horse's mouth it sounds like they can continue to raise money after the nomination and put it to good use. So, YES... give now! :)

[Ernesto]

17. I just mailed another check today

That makes it $300 for this month ...... I'm not trying to brag here but I have found the best way to spend those tax refunds that the chimp tried to buy my vote with.

[VolcanoJen]

9. The media spin on this story is quite amusing.

Rather than pointing out that Kerry outspent and outraised Bush in the month of May, they'd rather go on and on about how Kerry is almost broke...

:eyes:

[depakid]

13. and who's the biggest beneficiary?

the whoring broadcast media, that's who.

If you ask me, this is really sick-

[sidpleasant]

15. Good info at the FEC's web site

The FEC's web site has a page that gives an "executive overview" of the Presidential Public Funding program at: http://www.fec.gov/info/pfund.htm

From reading this it looks like participating in the Federal funding program for the general election is optional; Kerry could choose to opt out. Of course if he did that then so would Shrub and Shrub's backers in the oligarchy might be able to come up with a lot more money than Kerry's supporters. Opting out of funding for the general election would set a very bad precedent for the future too.

I've read that the parties are not constrained by the Federal funding cap, so maybe Kerry can transfer any unused funds after the convention to the DNC. And of course groups like Move On are not limited either.