How did Gore do it?

[Droopy]

I was just reading the weekend edition of USA Today and there is an article in there about Kerry's fund raising. It pretty much says that Kerry has almost matched Bush's funds raised and has even out-spent him in an area.

That's all great news, but what I really found surprising was a mention about Gore's fund raising. According to a Kerry strategist, "...Al Gore's campaign had only $9 million to spend from Super Tuesday to the convention. That was a problem against the better funded Bush." I find that amazing. Gore should be the one sitting in the White House right now and he was at this amazing disadvantge in the spring and summer before the election. I knew there was a large disparity in funds raised between Gore and Bush, but I didn't know it was that huge. How did Gore get his message out?

[Dookus]

1. I think your numbers are wrong:

http://www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/index/AllCands.htm


Gore raised 132 million and spent a total of 120 million

Bush raised 193 million and spent a total of 185 million

So there was still a 65 million dollar discrepancy, but Gore would've received his 83 million in public financing AFTER the convention.

edit: Also, Al Gore had only one primary opponent that he knocked out fairly early, so he didn't spend a fortune in the primaries.

[dsc]

2. It was a matter of timing

The whole point of the debate to opt in or out of these funds in the primary season was that period of time Gore was all but broke. If Kerry had accepted public funds he would still be subject to those limits. That is one reason that this year was the first year the differences in the timing of the Conventions mattered. Usually both candidates have been broke and thus wanted the money as quickly as possible. Now both are flush and want it as late as possible.

Gore had money but couldn't spend it.

[Droopy]

3. Well leave it to USA Today to not check their facts

I was quoting directly from the story.