NYT: Lack of discipline in Senator Clinton's Senatorial campaign spending?

[DeepModem Mom]

Clinton Won Easily, but Bankroll Shows the Toll
By ANNE E. KORNBLUT and JEFF ZELENY
Published: November 21, 2006

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 — She had only token opposition, but Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton still spent more on her re-election — upward of $30 million — than any other candidate for Senate this year. So where did all the money go?

It helped Mrs. Clinton win a margin of victory of more than 30 points. It helped her build a new set of campaign contributors. And it allowed her to begin assembling the nuts and bolts needed to run a presidential campaign.

But that was not all. Mrs. Clinton also bought more than $13,000 worth of flowers, mostly for fund-raising events and as thank-yous for donors. She laid out $27,000 for valet parking, paid as much as $800 in a single month in credit card interest and — above all — paid tens of thousands of dollars a month to an assortment of consultants and aides.

Throw in $17 million in advertising and fund-raising mailings, and what had been one of the most formidable war chests in politics was depleted to a level that leaves Mrs. Clinton with little financial advantage over her potential rivals for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination — and perhaps even trailing some of them.

The campaign’s financial record has fueled some criticism among Democratic activists and prompted concern among Mrs. Clinton’s supporters, including complaints from some of her fund-raisers that her top aides exercised a lack of discipline....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/us/politics/21donate.html?hp&ex=1164171600&en=1cf680b27f8bb06f&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Old and In the Way]

1. What a waste. She could have have transferred $15MM to tight races

around the country and gained real advantage with that money....she'd have won w/o spending hardly anything and she would have gotten a hell of a lot more goodwill that money spent. Instead, she comes across as extravagant and future donors are going to wonder if their $50.00 contribution is going to tipping the valet attendant.

[wisteria]

2. That is a good point. I received a bunch of literature, a pin and a

bumper sticker after a donation I made when I received a fund raising request from Senator Kerry asking that I help her out in her run for the Senator. Now, what is funny is I don't even live in NY, so why would I even want those items relating to a senate race?

[LittleClarkie]

7. Hey now, I gave to Kerry's PAC. Where's my swag!!

Dang, what a jip.

;)

[LittleClarkie]

3. Are there any reports that she put any of that money in other candidates' coffers?

It looks like she put it all toward shmoozing.

[Frances]

4. I'm sure that I read on DU that she did give to other candidates

[karynnj]

6. She gave slightly more than $2 million to the DSCC - a substantial amount

To my knowledge she didn't give money to the DNC or DCCC. I think she gave some to specific canddiates (though the limits are low on these types of direct donations)

[madfloridian]

5. Here is a list of the candidates to whom she donated.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.asp?strID=C00363994&Cycle=2006