Clinton Fundraising Challenges

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez

NEW YORK – While the polls say the race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is extremely tight, there's one contest Obama is running away with – the money primary.

With the potential for the nomination to drag on into the Democratic National Convention in late August, candidates continue to scramble to beef up their campaign coffers, but fewer online donations has forced Clinton off the campaign trail to fundraise in person.

Today, Clinton and her daughter Chelsea will host a low dollar fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The joint fundraiser, aimed at donors who have not already maxed out primary contributions, has tickets ranging in price from $25 to as high as $500. In an e-mail to supporters, the campaign asks donors who have maxed out the $2,300 in primary contributions, to help raise up to $250 from friends.

Part of Clinton's fundraising woes is that many of her key donors have already donated the maximum amount allowed by law, forcing the former first lady to look for new donors, as well as target younger voters through low dollar events, like tonight.

And despite increases in her online contributions, Clinton's online effort pales in comparison to Obama's, who in February out-raised Clinton over the internet by upwards of $30 million, causing Clinton to spend crucial time fundraising on the road, rather than campaigning.

Last night, after one campaign event in Pennsylvania, Clinton had to return to New York in order to attend a private fundraiser at the home of a supporter in Greenwich, Conn. Next week, Clinton is scheduled to attend fundraisers on the west coast, primarily in California, a February 5th state she won by double digits, while Obama is wrapping up a six day bus tour of Pennsylvania, the next big contest in the nomination process.

Clinton is expected to do some campaigning in Oregon and Montana, two states with upcoming primaries in May, during her west coast visit. But with strong online support and with fewer donors facing maxed out contributions, Obama continues to maintain a larger war chest that buys him the luxury of more time dedicated to campaigning for the nomination.

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by Peerguardianboy111 March 28, 2008 3:43 AM EDT: I will not get behind Obama or my Democratic Party, because I don''t trust or have any faith in Obama to be my President, and if he becomes the nominee; I will do like many other Hillary Supporters who feel the same way I do and stay home or vote for Ralph Nader.

all the votes Obama have are really Republicans crossing over to during the Democratic Primaries just to get Hillary out of the way like Rush Limbugh told them to do just to have Obama be the nominee, so that he may be a shoe in for the Presidency.; Reply to this comment


by wolfi101 March 28, 2008 2:38 AM EDT: Do you guys really want to end the turmoil and democratic in-fighting? There''s a solution:

Vote for the person who is ahead in delegates, states, and popular votes - Vote Obama

[ For those who will say to rally around Hillary, voting for the runner up will only prolong this battle and give an edge to McCain. ]; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 28, 2008 1:50 AM EDT: Everyone Please read this: Obama is in trouble again concerningsimliar statement''s his Pastor has made.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3636128.ece.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 28, 2008 1:48 AM EDT: Everyone Please read this: Obama is in trouble again concerningsimliar statement''s his Pastor has made.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3636128.ece.; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 27, 2008 3:08 AM EDT: To all Hillary Supporters:

Write Hillary a letter on her campaign website and encourage not to ever never give-up and quit this race until all voter''s voices have been heard in every State she needs your support in every way, and she needs to know all the people who are standing with her, I sent a letter to her already giving her my support until the last day of the voting process. You know their is power and strength in numbers.

Darrell; Reply to this comment


by Torilin March 27, 2008 1:09 AM EDT: Pethatic little minds. Open up to the possibilities of tomorrow. Honesty and positive message can go a long way in raising $$ while negative attack will strangle and dry up the most generous donations. Worthy leader listens to the people not shut them out of the process, dictators do. Barack raise most money from everyday people instead of lobbiests or special interests. They add up to rival the might of the rich and privileged. Do not give in to the right-wing propaganda I implore to all of you!!; Reply to this comment


by Torilin March 27, 2008 1:09 AM EDT: Pethatic little minds. Open up to the possibilities of tomorrow. Honesty and positive message can go a long way in raising $$ while negative attack will strangle and dry up the most generous donations. Worthy leader listens to the people not shut them out of the process, dictators do. Barack raise most money from everyday people instead of lobbiests or special interests. They add up to rival the might of the rich and privileged. Do not give in to the right-wing propaganda I implore to all of you!!; Reply to this comment


by Peerguardianboy111 March 26, 2008 11:26 PM EDT: Obama is not fit to be President and he have all his supporters duped, I can''t believe you Obama supporters want to put this comsmetic man in office, he''s also Anti-American, you all will get real change alright, all your money going to Kenya, and all the job being taken away from the Black communities and given to the immigrants when he ships some more of them in America to take Black folks jobs, that''s real change for you. I''m Black and I don''t trusr Obama, he''s not who you think he is, or who he potrays himself to be, he fake, and he truly not goingt do nothing for my race of people if he get''s in office, my Black Brothers and Sisters, don''t go for the ookie doke obama''s smoothly and deceptively telling you on the campaign trail, he''s not for us, he really think we are suckers for falling for his change message, I suggest that you stop donating to his campaign and attending his rallies that would send a strong message that black people are on time him, and we are no longer fools for him.; Reply to this comment


by latinovoter1 March 26, 2008 10:55 PM EDT: I feel sorry for Hillary, she is totally out of money. I dont think anyone else will donate to her, cause of the lies and misstrust issues. I used to be a supporter of hers, but I can''t anymore. Sorry Hillary.; Reply to this comment


by speakthetrut March 26, 2008 9:39 PM EDT: Few millionares are threatening Pelosi to back away from trying to save the party?

Now that is funny.

They should look at the millions of low income people supporting Obama with whatever they can, and beat the funds raised by big bucks that support Hillary.

Hey millionares, no matter how much money you have, you only get one vote.

If Nancy Pelosi is running for president, I would support her. But not Hillary "sniper-fire" Clinton. Not in a million years.; Reply to this comment