Obama people are being played for fools by the media if they think Hillary is broke

[Herman Munster]

If you do the math, as of Jan 1, Hillary had $18 million cash on hand. Obama had $13 million cash on hand.

During January, Hillary raised $18.5 million (including her $5 million loan). Obama raised a reported $32 million.

That means Hillary had $36.5 million in funds to use while Obama had $45 million during that time. A difference of $8.5 million in Obama's favor.

I wouldn't call Hillary having $36.5 million in funds and having access to a personal net worth of $25 million or more she can draw down "broke." She obviously felt she needed to get the message out to her supporters that there is no free lunch in this world and they have to ante up what they can so she can remain competitive with Obama. I'm sure her internet fundraising will shoot up accordingly. Obama may have a fundraising advantage but Hillary will have more than enough money to compete.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/hillary_outraises_obama_in_fou.php

Hillary also finished out the year with $18 million on hand to Obama's $13 million. The Hillary camp has not released its January totals or said whether they've come close to matching Obama's haul.

Obama's campaign says they filed their FEC report yesterday, but right now, only Hillary's is available on the FEC site.

Late Update: I should have clarified that the figures for cash on hand refer to money available for use in the primaries.

[Tweed]

1. Where does the $6M he raised today come into play?

[TwilightGardener]

2. Nobody here thinks she's "broke"--

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4442259&mesg_id=4442259

[alteredstate]

3. Then why aren't senior staff members being paid this month?

[Herman Munster]

4. because they have been with Hillary for over a decade

They support her and want her to have as much funds as she can to fight Obama. He will have a fundraising advantage. This helps narrow it somewhat.

I know in the cynical brains of Obama supporters there is always a negative connotation to everything Hillary does, but there is such a thing as personal loyalty.

[Big Blue Marble]

5. If everything is okey-dokey,

why are her senior staffers not being paid anymore? And why does her campaign still owe Mark Penn 1.5 million that they have yet
to pay him?

[FrenchieCat]

6. So, Hillary is lying to her supporters?

Is that good? :shrug:

[John Q. Citizen]

7. So if Hill supporters send money and it turns out she already had plenty, how

does that help her?

I think people would be pissed.

Why loan yourself money if you don't need it?

Also, just the admission that you had to loan yourself money is going to drive money away, because people don't want to bet on someone who can't even fundraise effectively.

How much of the cash on hand as of Jan and the funds raised did she spend in the month of Jan?

Anyway you slice it, it don't look good.

[TheWraith]

8. So, I guess she's gone $6.8 million into debt for no good reason, then?

$5 million drawn on her personal fortune, plus another $1.8 million in debt she owes Mark Penn's firm for the advice that got her here.

Your insistence that Obama supporters are dupes for believing in reality is tiresome.

[grantcart]

9. maybe I am a fool but atleast I am not working for free

[TwilightGardener]

10. How would you like working for free for someone that is raking in an instant

20 million on a business deal? Man, that would burn.

[grantcart]

12. yeah and not even on a business deal $ 20 million on a business divorce

[tabasco]

11. Why is her campaign borrowing money?

Do you think it helps the perception of Hillary as a manager when she states that her campaign had to borrow money?

Or do you think she is lying?