3 Candidates' Spending Tops Funds Raised in Quarter

[pruner]

By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 16, 2003; Page A04

Three prominent contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination -- Sens. John F. Kerry (Mass.) and John Edwards (N.C.) and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.) -- spent more than they raised during the last quarter, depleting crucial resources as the Jan. 19 Iowa caucus and the Jan. 27 New Hampshire primary fast approach.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) barely stayed out of the red for the quarter, raising $3.6 million and spending $3.5 million.

The third-quarter struggles of the four candidates, all members of Congress, sharply contrasted with the performance of former Vermont governor Howard Dean and retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who are campaigning for their party's nomination as outsiders. Both raised substantially more than they spent in the three-month period ending Sept. 30.

<snip>

Lieberman spokesman Jano Cabrera said ,"This is one of those times when money actually reflects reality." The Democratic contest, he said, has come down to "Howard Dean versus 'fill in the blank.' "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32287-2003Oct15.html

[Rose Siding]

1. What a great quote from Dean

"This report documents an American citizenry that is awakening to reclaim their democracy and restore their republic; a citizenry that wants to take back their economy from corporate scandals and corporate executives who inflate their salaries while fleecing pension funds; a citizenry that fears its elected officials are bankrupting their children's future. . . . They feel betrayed by a Democratic Party establishment that rolled over and provided no opposition, no debate, to a mistaken war and continued attacks on our civil liberties."

[sleipnir]

2. Say goodnight gracie

Hasta la vista, Kerry, Edwards and Gephardt...

I predict it won't be long (probably Feb/March) until they're gone. They can't match Dean/Clark on fundraising, and it's a money game right now. Lieberman and the lesser candidates are doing well, so I see it coming down to the wire with Clark/Dean/Lieberman.

I'm sorry, but 9 candidates is too much at this point even, but it must be culled to around 3 or 4 by the end of Jan., 2-3 by March if we want a chance to win...

[RamboLiberal]

3. One thing I admire from Dean is how they seem to be spending their $'s

They are running frugal and smart it seems to me. I think this bodes well for someone we want to put in charge of the federal budget. I liked on the Dean blog where they were running around Iowa in their little bus vehicle with the bad shocks while Edwards was blowing in to towns on his big honking decorated tour bus. Only thing I'd like to see them spend more on is air transport. The small planes make me nervous.

Great story the other day on their blog how they almost missed the Lake Champlain ferry cause Dean was fishing around in his wallet looking for his ferry pass. They outvoted him and voted to buy tickets.

[Chomskyite]

4. Dont forget Kerry is not dependent on fundraising

. . . in the way the others (even Dean) are. He is married the Heinz heiress. She has said publically she will spend money on his campaign.

[Chomskyite]

5. Look at what we're up against, though: unlimited corporate whoring money

From the article:

"President Bush's reelection campaign released his totals for the quarter on Tuesday -- $49.5 million. He has raised $83.9 million since he announced his reelection campaign in May, and has $70.4 million in the bank."

He dwarfs all the Dems' monies put together. He's well on his way to the $400 million target for multiple services provided to his satisfied clients.

And of course, he never wore a condom.

[jab105]

6. Goodness...

I'm nearly speechless at what some people will invest money in...but, I guess Bush has made it worth their while...huh?