Clinton Team Acknowledges $20M Debt

Washington Post: Top Aide Denies Rumors That She Is Seeking VP Slot

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Anne E. Kornblut.

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With her campaign falling ever deeper into debt, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton spent a rainy Mother's Day seeking votes ahead of Tuesday's primary here, turning a deaf ear to calls for her to leave a Democratic presidential contest she has little hope of winning.

Clinton aides continued to insist that she will remain in the race even while confirming that she is $20 million in debt. "The voters are going to decide this," senior adviser Howard Wolfson said on "Fox News Sunday," acknowledging the $20 million figure. "There is no reason for her not to continue this process." Wolfson said he has seen "no evidence of her interest" in pursuing the second-place spot on the Democratic ticket, contrary to rumors that she is staying in the race to leverage a bid for the vice presidential nomination.

With the primary season nearing its close, Sen. Barack Obama's advisers are beginning to consider the question of his running mate with more urgency as they focus more openly on the general election. Although Obama himself has been careful to insist that the Democratic race is not over as long as Clinton stays in it, his advisers have planned a trip to Missouri -- a state that held its primary on Feb. 5 but appears certain to be a key November battleground -- this week.

While not dismissing the states entirely, Obama's campaign is making it clear he will not aggressively contest West Virginia or Kentucky, which holds its primary a week from Tuesday. Obama is likely to win in Oregon, also a May 20 primary state. Clinton has campaigned hard in West Virginia, and her aides said Sunday that she will hold a victory celebration at the Charleston Civic Center on Tuesday night.

With nearly everyone -- including, privately, many on her own team -- contemplating when, not if, she will quit the race, the questions surrounding Clinton now go largely to her motivation. Publicly, her campaign argues that victories in West Virginia and Kentucky could shift the growing tide of momentum for Obama back to her by demonstrating that she has appeal in states that Democrats must to win to take back the White House in November. What is unclear is whether she hopes strong performances will make Obama consider her for the No. 2 slot or at least help her retire her growing debt.

"I don't believe that Senator Clinton is looking for a deal," Obama strategist David Axelrod said on the same Fox show on which Wolfson appeared. Saying that Clinton "competed hard" and is "playing it out as she sees fit," he said the Clinton campaign is capable of deciding how to leave for itself. "I don't think she's waiting for a cue or a signal from us or an offer of financial assistance. And I think that would demean her to suggest otherwise," he said.

Axelrod added: "I don't think even under any scenario . . . that we were going to transfer money from the Obama campaign to the Clinton campaign. We obviously need the resources we have. We have a great task ahead of us."

There was, Axelrod said, "a misunderstanding out there about that." After reports that Michelle Obama, the senator's wife, has rejected the possibility of an Obama-Clinton ticket, Axelrod flatly said: "That's false." He said there have not been overtures made to the Clinton team to negotiate her departure from the campaign.

Clinton has spent the better part of the past year on the campaign trail, with almost every holiday doubling as a campaign opportunity. Mother's Day was no exception: After holding a fundraiser in New York, Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, went to West Virginia and toured the birthplace of Anna Jarvis, the woman who founded the holiday a century earlier. Clinton told reporters that she had gotten flowers from her daughter and husband, as well as a vase and a perfume bottle made in West Virginia. She continues campaigning here Monday with stops in four towns, Montgomery, Clear Fork, Logan and Fairmont.

[craigh9]

One more reason to thank your lucky stars that Hillary has lost.
Already spent $100+ Million and is $20 Million in debt currently - but continues to spend, spend, spend, on a campaign that can''t win.
And we wonder why our country is in trouble - with people like this in the senate is it any wonder???

[fibonacci_]

An excellent manager of money, he he.

[spoonerfineart]

It is like watching the Titanic (filled with the Democratic Party)slowly sink but this time Captain Hillary wants the passengers to go down with her.

[singingrick]

One has to wonder at this point if she''s running for President or to help McCain.

[spoonerfineart]

As a Barrack supporter and financial contributor, why should I have to bail out the Hillary campaign when she obviously is mounting enormous debt. (perhaps with no intent to pay it off)

NO ONE SAID SHE HAD TO STAY IN THE RACE.

LET HER SUPPORTERS PAY OFF THE 20 MILLION.

[mikeant50]

spoon2456,

I agree with you. Why should my donations to Obama be used to pay Hillary''s debts. She mismanaged her campaign, so why should Obama have to bail her at. Bill and Hillary are worth 100 million dollars. Let them settle their own debts.

[concorde5]

"her campaign argues that victories in West Virginia and Kentucky could shift the growing tide of momentum for Obama back to her"

Wait, Didn''t Hillary say that small states don''t count. She said she can win the Big States unlike Obama so she should be the nominee. I guess she is flip-flopping now to pander to small states.

She is a MONSTER!

[griking]

How can she be expected to manage the nation''s budget when she can''t even manage her own?

[omaar-101]

The Clinton`s: Arab Money & Oil Money

Hillary Clinton`s Finance Chairman is a (Iranian)

The Clintons`s recieve 10 Million Dollars per year from the Royal Saudi Arabian families.

The (500 Million $) Bill Clinton Library is Chaired by Saudi Arabians..Duh

The Last time I checked, those (911-Terrorist Attacks) were from (Saudi Arabia)

Bill Clinton`s Big Millions from his Partnership with the United Arab Emirates, (Dubai Ports Deal)

A partnership, Bill will only give up, IF Hillary Clinton is Voted in as President..

Bill says (IF) Hillary becomes President !!

The last time I checked the (United Arab Emirates) also Participated in the (911-Terrorist Attacks) !!


I Guess if you`re White...Its alright to Profit off American Blood and not have SHAME about it..At All !!!

Thats the Clinton Brand...

Money Rules Everything Around Me...

I`m a Capitalist 1st...

American Pride & Honor ZERO

ANOTHER REASON TO COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS...CLINTON IS LOSING !!

[sassalin]

"One more reason to thank your lucky stars that Hillary has lost.
Already spent $100+ Million and is $20 Million in debt currently - but continues to spend, spend, spend, on a campaign that can''''t win.
And we wonder why our country is in trouble - with people like this in the senate is it any wonder???"


craigh9,

Well said!!!

[libra127]

As a Barrack supporter and financial contributor, why should I have to bail out the Hillary campaign when she obviously is mounting enormous debt. (perhaps with no intent to pay it off)

Posted by spoon2456 at 09:39 AM : May 12, 2008

Once you give your money to Obama, it is entirely up to HIM what he does with it. If he chooses to pay off Hillary''s debt, there''s nothing you can do about it. Same thing when he''s President. Still want to vote for him ?

[xburks]

This is ridicules! Why would she do this to her campaign and the Democratic Party? This is suicide, a.k.a. kamikaze the Democratic Party. It%u2019s also shows irresponsibility for her actions; why spend money that you don%u2019t have or can pay back? And she had a proposal for foreclosures? . ..Please, she%u2019s getting ready to foreclose on her campaign!
Thank God this woman lost!

[libra127]

I Guess if you`re White...Its alright to Profit off American Blood and not have SHAME about it..At All !!!

Posted by Omaar-101 at 10:13 AM : May 12, 2008

I''ll bet you''ve been buying Saudi oil for quite some time. Does that mean YOU have American blood on your hands too ?

[tawpdawg11]

Oh we are broke . Cannot even fight any more. Watch out for the rope-a-dope, Barack!

[gonzo6921]

So with a debt of $20 million, if Hillary drops out, who is going to pay this bill? The voters who didn''t want her there anyway??????

[lewiston14]

I doubt Obama would even consider her for VP. Her trying to run everything and bill snipping at every chance. He dont need the headach because as a VP she will not accept that roll. And why should he bail her out. He stands nothing to gain if she is stupid enough to stay in.

[whitepicks2]

Monies donated to the Obama campaign cannot be used to pay off Clinton''s debt. One campaign is only allowed by law to donate $2000 to another.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/10/154245/021/244/513343

If Obama and Clinton would happen to broker a deal to help pay off her campaign debts %u2013 this remains a big if, because nothing has been formally discussed %u2013 the money would not be taken from Mr. Obama%u2019s campaign account. Instead, he would have to make a fund-raising appeal on her behalf, asking people to contribute.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/obama-wont-rule-out-easing-clinton-campaign-debt/

[blazercoach1]

And this is a person who keeps saying that the next President is going to inherit a huge stack of problems.......like a soaring deficit and national debt.

She can''t even manage a campaign without going into the red! And some of you think she can run a country''s finances??!?!?!?!

[missingamerica]

The West Virginia voters really should look to the future of their children and help America by putting Clinton out of her misery.

But from what I''ve seen so far, no doubt Clinton is hanging in dark, smoky rooms promising to move the Pentagon and/or the Social Security bureaucracy to West Virginia in order to buy their votes.

[imotorist]

NOW--IT"S TIME--TO SAY GOODBYE--LA LA--LA LA--LA LA.......

[omaar-101]

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/4714

The fact is that Hillary Clinton is totally unable to be objective on this key question of our national financial sovereignty because she and her husband have been so compromised by their financial dealings with the very countries at issue in the decision.

Should the Saudi Monarchy be Permitted to purchase an Iimportant Equity Position in some of America''''s Leading Banks?

How can Hillary be objective when the very same Monarchy Donated ($10 million to the Clinton Library and Foundation) ?

Should the UAE be allowed in?

How can Hillary decide fairly when Bill %u2013 and therefore herself have been getting a reported ($10 Million Per Year) from a fund that administers the Investments of the (Emir of Dubai), the Largest component state in the UAE?

Critics of a potential Hillary Clinton presidency have often pointed to the baggage she''ll be bringing along from not only her Personal Past, but also from her Husband''''s Administration, a fact Illustrated by these questionable (Saudi Monetary Connections).

[omaar-101]

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/4714

Part 2: Clinton`s arab Money

As a point of direct contrast, former New York Mayor (and presidential candidate)

Rudy Giuliani Rejected a $10 Million Donation from a Saudi Prince to the City of New York directly following 9/11.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal suggested that U.S. Middle Eastern Policies led to the attacks, something Giuliani did not appreciate:

"I entirely reject that statement," Giuliani said. "There is no Moral Equivalent for this [Terrorist] Act.

There is no justification for it. The people who did it lost any right to ask for Justification for it when they slaughtered 4,000 or 5,000 innocent people."

"Transparency" is not enough.

Full disclosure of conflicts of interest from all of our presidential candidates is essential when it comes not only to personal integrity, but to policies that affect our security interests at home and abroad.

[thisandthat1]

I''m suprised Hillary hasn''t told the people of W. Virginia that she used to be a coal miner back in her younger days!

[vmcneal2]

I''m a Obama supporter but I think Hillary should stay in until all the primaries are over. The remaining states should have a say.(not Mich or Fla) In June the fat lady will sing and Obama will get the nomination but Hillary will have given it her best shot.

[omaar-101]

Posted by libra127: I''ll bet you''ve been buying Saudi oil for quite some time. Does that mean YOU have American Blood on Your Hands too ?


No...A$$ Hole...

But Bill & Hillary Do Have Blood on their Hands & Feet




And You, Adore The Clinton`s..Puh-Lease !!

Just Admit You don`t want a Bi-Racial Male in the Oval Office...

Bigots !!


Note: The Clinton`s: Arab Money & Oil Money

Hillary Clinton`s Finance Chairman is a (Iranian)

The Clintons`s recieve 10 Million Dollars per year from the Royal Saudi Arabian families.

The (500 Million $) Bill Clinton Library is Chaired by Saudi Arabians..Duh

The Last time I checked, those (911-Terrorist Attacks) were from (Saudi Arabia)

Bill Clinton`s Big Millions from his Partnership with the United Arab Emirates, (Dubai Ports Deal)

A partnership, Bill will only give up, IF Hillary Clinton is Voted in as President..

Bill says (IF) Hillary becomes President !!

The last time I checked the (United Arab Emirates) also Participated in the (911-Terrorist Attacks) !!


I Guess if you`re White...Its Alright !!

McCain said that Hamas want''s Obama to win, Obama said McCain is losing his bearings. The press jumped on Obama''s statement about McCain but did not say a thing about McCains statement about Hamas. I guess the press is about to turn on Obama. This is just the beginning.

[old300d]

Obama has unlimited funds and Clinton is broke and she still has about as many votes as he has.

She got alot more votes per dollar than Obama.

[thisandthat1]

old300d ... I hope that fact consoles you as Obama is elected President.

[old300d]

The lefty lefts are pushing Obama on us because they know Obama will follow their line.

Clinton will not follow the lefty left line.

She is right. A lefty left can not win the white house.

The lefty lefts are again stopping the dems from taking the white house.

Clinton will end up with the most votes. The people are behind her but the lefty left groupthink leaders are not.

[dchu76]

Obama has unlimited funds and Clinton is broke and she still has about as many votes as he has.

She got alot more votes per dollar than Obama.
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Posted by old300d at 11:22 AM : May 12, 2008

not true, obama has 50mil in the bank and clinton is down 20 million. Obama has spent his money wisely, if you do the math.

[stn_sage]

With all her experience and self-declared competence, Hillary Clinton has managed to roll up $20 million dollars in campaign debt and growing!!

Is this the action of a responsible person!? NO!

Does she care?! No! Because she knows what her average supporter doesn''t, that she doesn''t have any intention of paying it off! SOMEBODY ELSE will be doing that!

Should she get the nomination, corporations & Arabs will pay. If Obama co-opts her, he''ll pay or help her pay by soliciting the public. Putting your own money into the campaign---as front money---is one thing.
Actually writing checks against it to pay bills is another!

Seeing how she runs her campaign, you have to be crazy or ignorant to vote for her. Or, perhaps racist too. But, whatever standard you choose, you should be aware you''re getting a crooked, Washington insider who''ll promise you anything and forget the promises once she''s elected!

[old300d]

Hi dchu76,

Obama has spent his money stopping the first women who had a chance to become president.

You want to know what is wrong with Washington ?

Too many men making the decisions and not enough women to balance things out.

There are not enough women in Washington.

When Clinton wins that will cause more women to run for office and that will bring the big change needed in Washington.

If Obama beats her then McCain will win.

Obama will becaome another Dem loser.

[pensacola88]

Hilliary Clinton is keeping her promise to stay in the race and raise more Democratic Voter registrations. The loans will pay big dividends for the party. She certainly exhibits great faith is her voter support base, which is more than most other candidates.

If Hillary is the VP under Obama, most Obama supporters will agree to repay Clinton''s loan to her campaign, since they really want Democratic domination in the House, Senate and eventually the Supreme court, and know it will cost money to get it.

[dchu76]

Hi dchu76,

Obama has spent his money stopping the first women who had a chance to become president.
You want to know what is wrong with Washington ?
Too many men making the decisions and not enough women to balance things out.
There are not enough women in Washington.
When Clinton wins that will cause more women to run for office and that will bring the big change needed in Washington.
If Obama beats her then McCain will win.
Obama will becaome another Dem loser.
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Posted by old300d at 11:41 AM : May 12, 2008

For me this has nothing to do with Hillary being a woman, it has to with barak being the better candidate. Last year at this time, i would have bet anything that clinton would be the nominee and then the president. the times have changed. it is time to unite the United States of America behind Barack Obama. End the politics of division, smear, and personal attack and pay attention to the issues. Barack will bring an orderly end to the war in Iraq, tax the windfall profits of big oil, create incentives to build new energy industries to replace oil, spend billions less than the Republicans who claim to be for small government but have the largest government in all history. Yes, we can elect a President of the people, by the people and for the people. Barack is a man who is living the American Dream. He has known our struggles.

[old300d]

Hi dchu76 ,

He is going to move the war to the other side of Iran ! ! !

We are fighting Iran in Iraq. All he will do is move the war to the other side. Do you think Iran will still attack us on the other side ?

He will not stop the war. Just where we fight it ! ! !

[old300d]

I don''t think anyone can stop the war we started in Iraq. We can leave but that war is ON ! ! !

[whitepicks2]

old300d, not this woman. Too much of her support is based on estrogen. Your cloud of estrogen merges with other clouds to fog the voting booth.

[dchu76]

Hi dchu76 ,

He is going to move the war to the other side of Iran ! ! !
We are fighting Iran in Iraq. All he will do is move the war to the other side. Do you think Iran will still attack us on the other side ?
He will not stop the war. Just where we fight it ! ! !
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Posted by old300d at 11:46 AM : May 12, 2008

No he said he will stop the uncessary war, which iraq is. He will still stay in afganistan to battle al queda, and will take the necessary action to keep america safe.

[old300d]

Obama debating McCain ? He does not have a chance ! ! !

[joecoolswat]

HILLARY ...STAY IN THE RACE !!!....at least up until the convention in August...Please continue to shred each other apart and continue to do the Republican''s dirty work....Then strip the delegates from Obama at the convention, and watch the fireworks.....Gotta love it...

[old300d]

Hi dchu76 ,

What does it matter where we fight them ? Where we are is where they will go.

Why fight them in the mountians instead of flatland ?

[old300d]

Hi dchu76 ,

Did you see the special about Pat Tillman ?

He was fighting in the mountians.

[dchu76]

Hi dchu76 ,

What does it matter where we fight them ? Where we are is where they will go.

Why fight them in the mountians instead of flatland ?



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Posted by old300d at 11:51 AM : May 12, 2008

Because they are in the mountains, thats where they are hiding, why hunt for gophers in the ocean when they are in the garden.

[old300d]

Hi dchu76 ,

Right now we are fighting Iran on both sides.

That is what is going on.

[lewiston14]

Just for the record I dont think all three of them are worth a dime. In the many elections I have see come and go this has to be the worst. Nobody running is worth anything. With still a close congress (remember 2/3) Its just another 4 years of the same thing. This election is useless at best. You heard it here first $5 a gallon by end of year, $10 in 4 years and good luck with food or jobs.

[dchu76]

there is no single national intelligence estimate (NIE) that says that iran is a threat, they are just grand standing. if we attack iran without credible threat it will be another stupid decision like iraq.

[joecoolswat]

tracymorgan0....whats the bottom line with all your calculations ?....McCain wins!

[dchu76]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 2007 %u2014 A new assessment by American intelligence agencies concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains frozen. The assessment, a National Intelligence Estimate that represents the consensus view of all 16 American spy agencies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/world/middleeast/03cndiran.html

[lewiston14]

Old: We will be in Iran before the year is over. He has nothing to loose.

[lewiston14]

Old: We will be in Iran before the year is over. He has nothing to loose and nothing we can do about it.