Barack Obama Collects $25 Million

Illinois Senator Was A Close Second To Hillary Clinton In Presidential Dash For Cash

(CBS/AP)  Democrat Barack Obama raked in $25 million for his presidential bid in the first three months of 2007, placing him on a par with front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee.

Obama's fundraising number came from an official in his campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The eye-popping figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first-quarter fundraising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention.

There's one key difference between Obama and Clinton, reports CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger: Obama has 100,000 donors, about twice as many as Clinton. And half of them — 50,000 people — gave by logging on. Obama raised $6.9 million online, compared with $4.2 million for Clinton.

While Clinton has honed a vast national fundraising network through two Senate campaigns and her husband's eight years as president, Obama launched his bid for the White House with a relatively small donor base concentrated largely in Illinois, his home state. But his early opposition to the Iraq war and voter excitement over his quest to be the first black president quickly fueled a powerful fundraising machine.

Obama is the latest presidential hopeful to obliterate the old first-quarter fundraising records.

Republican Mitt Romney raked in $23 million to join Clinton in the $20 million-plus club. The also-rans in the money race also reported eye-popping totals.

Republican frontrunner Rudy Giuliani collected $15 million, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., took in $12.5 million.

Among Democrats, John Edwards collected $14 million. That's double what the North Carolina Democrat raised in the same time period in his last run for the White House.

Cash wasn't always king, reports Borger. But the top candidates have opted out of the public financing system, so they can raise as much money as they want. And they'll need it. The last time the presidential race was this wide open, with no incumbent president or vice president running, was 1952.

To understand just how awash in cash the class of 2008 is, it's only necessary to look at the previous first-quarter fundraising records. Republican Phil Gramm of Texas and Democrat Al Gore of Tennessee held the previous high-water marks: $8.7 million for Gramm in 1995 and $8.9 million for Gore in 1995.

The fundraising totals are a crucial test for the candidates and indicate whose campaign is strongest less than a year before the first primary votes are cast. The fundraising deadline for the January through March period was Saturday, with financial reports due April 15.

Clinton swelled her campaign war chest by transferring an additional $10 million from her Senate fundraising account, aides said. That brought her to $36 million.

Other candidates reporting first-quarter totals included:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, said he had raised $6 million and had more than $5 million cash on hand.

Aides to Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut said he raised more than $4 million and transferred nearly $5 million from his Senate campaign, for a total of $9 million in receipts and $7.5 million cash on hand.

Democratic Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware lagged behind, with his staff reporting that he had total receipts of nearly $4 million, nearly half of which was transferred from his Senate campaign account.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a conservative darling but long-shot GOP candidate, also lagged far behind, reporting receipts of less than $2 million, including a $575,000 transfer from his Senate campaign account.


© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by randalds April 5, 2007 8:44 PM EDT

"ROTFLMFAO!!!"
Posted by RandalDS

Thanks. You knew I was joking.

In case anybody didn't, my reference was to the two legitimate children of Barack Obama and his wife.

It was a satriric putdown of the foolish rumors some "anonymous opponents" tried to foist on John McCain back in 2003-2004.

I wasn't trying to start any such silly and baseless rumors about the fine Senator from Illinois.
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 07:25 AM : Apr 05, 2007

LOL! Thanks for explaining it though as there seems to be an inordinate number of ignorant hillbillies on this blog sometimes and they just won't get it unless you tell them and usually in slow words of no more then 2 syllables.

Reply to this comment

by agnim April 5, 2007 4:24 PM EDT

"So does every other candidate running for President - what's your point?
Posted by oleander8 at 09:30 AM : Apr 05, 2007"

LOL
Good retort.
Stop him dead in his tracks if he has any sense.

Reply to this comment

by agnim April 5, 2007 4:21 PM EDT

"How do you know he wasn't pushed ?
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 10:02 PM : Apr 04, 2007"

LOL
Yes, Obama was 'pushed' when he fell from those white loins. LOL

Reply to this comment

by houchin21 April 5, 2007 3:17 PM EDT

we are all in trouble if obama gets president, he is a musli, that is all the muslim terrorists need is a muslim president to get on thier side.


(HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT)

Reply to this comment

by houchin21 April 5, 2007 3:17 PM EDT

we are all in trouble if obama gets president, he is a musli, that is all the muslim terrorists need is a muslim president to get on thier side.


(HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT)

Reply to this comment

by oleander8 April 5, 2007 12:30 PM EDT

"[Obama]... lacks experiences of what being black is all about growing up in the USA." panhandlpete

So does every other candidate running for President - what's your point?

Reply to this comment

by mbcsmith April 5, 2007 12:16 PM EDT

I think REPUBLICANS would be for Hillary. Maybe she should run in THEIR primary..... We DEMOCRATS should support the candidate that supports our idealogy and the will of the people: Barak Obama!!

Obama is for real!!!!
Posted by edjohn66 at 08:56 AM : Apr 05, 2007

Do you really think Republicans will vote for Hillary? Why?

Reply to this comment

by edjohn66 April 5, 2007 11:56 AM EDT

Now that Hillary and Obama have demonstrated the same skill in raising money, we Dems should look at the issues:

Hillary: voted for the war and for Bush's tax cuts for the rich

Obama: claims he would have voted against the war, is against tax cuts for the rich

I think REPUBLICANS would be for Hillary. Maybe she should run in THEIR primary..... We DEMOCRATS should support the candidate that supports our idealogy and the will of the people: Barak Obama!!

Obama is for real!!!!

Reply to this comment

by oleander8 April 5, 2007 11:32 AM EDT

How do we circumvent the congress to stop the obscenity of campaign fund raising? Obviously they aren't going to do it themselves. Current practices just scream corruption and sell-out.

Reply to this comment

by panhandlpete April 5, 2007 11:18 AM EDT

Undecided as to voting for Barack Obama and color has something to do with it. He lacks experiences of what being black is all about growing up in the USA. Now Charlie Rangel is a totally different story. They are both great Senators and can do much good for all Americans if they keep working in the Senate. Barack will have lots of time to try again should he not get the nomination. Would the same amount of Media attention be given him if he had reported only $15 million?

Lou Dobbs, of CNN, made the offer yesterday for any Presidential candidate to come on his show and talk for 3 uninterrupted minutes on ISSUES, such as Domestic Issues of Illegal Immigration, Healthcare, Energy, Wages/Jobs for Middle Class, Taxes, etc., and Foreign Policy, War in Iraq, etc. This would give the viewers a better chance at hearing a message of exactly how the candidates feel on issues. Certainly hope all take him up on this offer!!!

Reply to this comment

by gunownerdan April 5, 2007 10:51 AM EDT

Our next president will be the best president money can buy!!!!!(AGAIN)

Reply to this comment

by iceman_1960 April 5, 2007 10:25 AM EDT

"ROTFLMFAO!!!"
Posted by RandalDS

Thanks. You knew I was joking.

In case anybody didn't, my reference was to the two legitimate children of Barack Obama and his wife.

It was a satriric putdown of the foolish rumors some "anonymous opponents" tried to foist on John McCain back in 2003-2004.

I wasn't trying to start any such silly and baseless rumors about the fine Senator from Illinois.

Reply to this comment

by dobe08 April 5, 2007 9:39 AM EDT

skeezix06 your not fooling anyone. How do you think Obama is too Corporate when he isn't fundraising from PACs or Federal Lobbists? Something Clinton is doing. Republican-lite? Hillary is the DLC wing of the Democratic Party, THE CORPORATE wing of the Democratic party, a wing Obama has spoken against in the past. Nice attempt at a smear though.... too lite of the facts though.

Reply to this comment

by kaliveotin April 5, 2007 4:44 AM EDT

I was for Hillary. Barrack is fun would not be elected President in a National election. He's this years Dean. EDWARDS has emerged as the candidate with specific positions on Health Care and Iraq. He is the most trustworthy and the ONLY candidate who identifies with average americans and espacially with those who are generally disenfranchised. IM SUPPORTING JOHN EDWARDS because he supports us. I was disgusted by Hillaries tepid for National Health Care saying it would be a "goal" to achieve before the END of her SECOND TERM. Way too little to late since she claimed to "TRY" and establish a Health Care Plan 15 Years ago.

Reply to this comment

by homespunlady April 5, 2007 3:36 AM EDT

Ho Hum It was an "education" reading the comments. I saw prejudice based on race, religion, gender, marriage, children, wealth and on and on.
What I didn't see was any well thought out preference based on a candidate's PLATFORM.

This country needs 2 things to keep our constitution alive.
First a REAL education that includes along with the 3 r's civics, health, financial and common sense(logic) training. It's the best possible investment and the least we can do for our future generations.
Second a sense of responsibility that encourages rather than discourages participation in community involvement including making it a DUTY TO VOTE and not excluding, discouraging, restricting, playing dirty tricks, etc. to rig the elections - in other words fair and honest elections. It's not impossible - even Iraq did better at it than we have.
The hatred and prejudice I've read here is disgusting.

Reply to this comment

by randalds April 5, 2007 3:30 AM EDT

Posted by Processorr2 at 12:27 AM : Apr 05, 2007

Troll. Please do not feed this troll. Thank you.

Reply to this comment

by processorr2 April 5, 2007 3:27 AM EDT

hawksprings

You don't have to look far.

Obama's name rimes with Osama.

Coincidence?

I don't think so.

How do we know he's not with the terorists?

Reply to this comment

by randalds April 5, 2007 3:22 AM EDT

Obama is without a doubt one of the most moving and inspirational speakers of our time. he has "it". That indescribable something that JFK had and Bobby and Martin. I tend to be more of an Edwards/Obama ticket man, but if it turns out to be Obama/Edwards that would be fine with me too. Any ticket with Obama on it is the next winner. He is becoming an unstoppable force in American politics. I just hope he's well protected as he'll be seen as a real threat to many rich corrupt right wingers of the Di*ck Cheney mold who will do anything, even commit an assassination, to hold the behind the scenes power that they have. They murdered tens of thousands in Iraq for money. One black presidential candidate would be nothing to them.

Reply to this comment

by randalds April 5, 2007 3:11 AM EDT

"Obama - not black, 1/2 white...point is for the dense..." - Posted by badaxmofo at 07:52 PM : Apr 04, 2007

(Psst... Rumor has it Obama fathered two black children -- twice as many as John McCain !! I bet Karl Rove would pay a lot of money for this information... A word to the wise...)
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 09:52 PM : Apr 04, 2007

ROTFLMFAO!!!

Reply to this comment

by iceman_1960 April 5, 2007 2:09 AM EDT

Hillary isn't stupid. She knows a "Dirty Tricks" campaign against Barack Obama could backfire big time.

And that ruthlessness reputation is already hurting her badly enough without that.

I don't doubt Obama will be hit by another "Swift Boat" attack eventually, but it won't be coming from Democrats.

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[randalds]

"ROTFLMFAO!!!"
Posted by RandalDS

Thanks. You knew I was joking.

In case anybody didn't, my reference was to the two legitimate children of Barack Obama and his wife.

It was a satriric putdown of the foolish rumors some "anonymous opponents" tried to foist on John McCain back in 2003-2004.

I wasn't trying to start any such silly and baseless rumors about the fine Senator from Illinois.
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 07:25 AM : Apr 05, 2007

LOL! Thanks for explaining it though as there seems to be an inordinate number of ignorant hillbillies on this blog sometimes and they just won't get it unless you tell them and usually in slow words of no more then 2 syllables.

[agnim]

"So does every other candidate running for President - what's your point?
Posted by oleander8 at 09:30 AM : Apr 05, 2007"

LOL
Good retort.
Stop him dead in his tracks if he has any sense.

[agnim]

"How do you know he wasn't pushed ?
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 10:02 PM : Apr 04, 2007"

LOL
Yes, Obama was 'pushed' when he fell from those white loins. LOL

[houchin21]

we are all in trouble if obama gets president, he is a musli, that is all the muslim terrorists need is a muslim president to get on thier side.


(HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT)

[houchin21]

we are all in trouble if obama gets president, he is a musli, that is all the muslim terrorists need is a muslim president to get on thier side.


(HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT)

[oleander8]

"[Obama]... lacks experiences of what being black is all about growing up in the USA." panhandlpete

So does every other candidate running for President - what's your point?

[mbcsmith]

I think REPUBLICANS would be for Hillary. Maybe she should run in THEIR primary..... We DEMOCRATS should support the candidate that supports our idealogy and the will of the people: Barak Obama!!

Obama is for real!!!!
Posted by edjohn66 at 08:56 AM : Apr 05, 2007

Do you really think Republicans will vote for Hillary? Why?

[edjohn66]

Now that Hillary and Obama have demonstrated the same skill in raising money, we Dems should look at the issues:

Hillary: voted for the war and for Bush's tax cuts for the rich

Obama: claims he would have voted against the war, is against tax cuts for the rich

I think REPUBLICANS would be for Hillary. Maybe she should run in THEIR primary..... We DEMOCRATS should support the candidate that supports our idealogy and the will of the people: Barak Obama!!

Obama is for real!!!!

[oleander8]

How do we circumvent the congress to stop the obscenity of campaign fund raising? Obviously they aren't going to do it themselves. Current practices just scream corruption and sell-out.

[panhandlpete]

Undecided as to voting for Barack Obama and color has something to do with it. He lacks experiences of what being black is all about growing up in the USA. Now Charlie Rangel is a totally different story. They are both great Senators and can do much good for all Americans if they keep working in the Senate. Barack will have lots of time to try again should he not get the nomination. Would the same amount of Media attention be given him if he had reported only $15 million?

Lou Dobbs, of CNN, made the offer yesterday for any Presidential candidate to come on his show and talk for 3 uninterrupted minutes on ISSUES, such as Domestic Issues of Illegal Immigration, Healthcare, Energy, Wages/Jobs for Middle Class, Taxes, etc., and Foreign Policy, War in Iraq, etc. This would give the viewers a better chance at hearing a message of exactly how the candidates feel on issues. Certainly hope all take him up on this offer!!!

[gunownerdan]

Our next president will be the best president money can buy!!!!!(AGAIN)

[iceman_1960]

"ROTFLMFAO!!!"
Posted by RandalDS

Thanks. You knew I was joking.

In case anybody didn't, my reference was to the two legitimate children of Barack Obama and his wife.

It was a satriric putdown of the foolish rumors some "anonymous opponents" tried to foist on John McCain back in 2003-2004.

I wasn't trying to start any such silly and baseless rumors about the fine Senator from Illinois.

[dobe08]

skeezix06 your not fooling anyone. How do you think Obama is too Corporate when he isn't fundraising from PACs or Federal Lobbists? Something Clinton is doing. Republican-lite? Hillary is the DLC wing of the Democratic Party, THE CORPORATE wing of the Democratic party, a wing Obama has spoken against in the past. Nice attempt at a smear though.... too lite of the facts though.

[kaliveotin]

I was for Hillary. Barrack is fun would not be elected President in a National election. He's this years Dean. EDWARDS has emerged as the candidate with specific positions on Health Care and Iraq. He is the most trustworthy and the ONLY candidate who identifies with average americans and espacially with those who are generally disenfranchised. IM SUPPORTING JOHN EDWARDS because he supports us. I was disgusted by Hillaries tepid for National Health Care saying it would be a "goal" to achieve before the END of her SECOND TERM. Way too little to late since she claimed to "TRY" and establish a Health Care Plan 15 Years ago.

[homespunlady]

Ho Hum It was an "education" reading the comments. I saw prejudice based on race, religion, gender, marriage, children, wealth and on and on.
What I didn't see was any well thought out preference based on a candidate's PLATFORM.

This country needs 2 things to keep our constitution alive.
First a REAL education that includes along with the 3 r's civics, health, financial and common sense(logic) training. It's the best possible investment and the least we can do for our future generations.
Second a sense of responsibility that encourages rather than discourages participation in community involvement including making it a DUTY TO VOTE and not excluding, discouraging, restricting, playing dirty tricks, etc. to rig the elections - in other words fair and honest elections. It's not impossible - even Iraq did better at it than we have.
The hatred and prejudice I've read here is disgusting.

[randalds]

Posted by Processorr2 at 12:27 AM : Apr 05, 2007

Troll. Please do not feed this troll. Thank you.

[processorr2]

hawksprings

You don't have to look far.

Obama's name rimes with Osama.

Coincidence?

I don't think so.

How do we know he's not with the terorists?

[randalds]

Obama is without a doubt one of the most moving and inspirational speakers of our time. he has "it". That indescribable something that JFK had and Bobby and Martin. I tend to be more of an Edwards/Obama ticket man, but if it turns out to be Obama/Edwards that would be fine with me too. Any ticket with Obama on it is the next winner. He is becoming an unstoppable force in American politics. I just hope he's well protected as he'll be seen as a real threat to many rich corrupt right wingers of the Di*ck Cheney mold who will do anything, even commit an assassination, to hold the behind the scenes power that they have. They murdered tens of thousands in Iraq for money. One black presidential candidate would be nothing to them.

[randalds]

"Obama - not black, 1/2 white...point is for the dense..." - Posted by badaxmofo at 07:52 PM : Apr 04, 2007

(Psst... Rumor has it Obama fathered two black children -- twice as many as John McCain !! I bet Karl Rove would pay a lot of money for this information... A word to the wise...)
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 09:52 PM : Apr 04, 2007

ROTFLMFAO!!!

[iceman_1960]

Hillary isn't stupid. She knows a "Dirty Tricks" campaign against Barack Obama could backfire big time.

And that ruthlessness reputation is already hurting her badly enough without that.

I don't doubt Obama will be hit by another "Swift Boat" attack eventually, but it won't be coming from Democrats.