Pure Horserace: Spending And Saving

This weekend isn't just filing day for every U.S. taxpayer; it's also the deadline for presidential candidates to file their fundraising reports for the first quarter of 2007. No, that's not déjà vu you're experiencing — while the campaigns all released their fundraising totals in early April, most didn't say how much they spent, how much they had left in the bank, or how much, if any, is off-limits until the general election.

Though the deadline is on Sunday, some numbers are dribbling out. Republican Rudy Giuliani pulled in a respectable $15 million, but according to The Associated Press, that came from only 28,000 contributors, the lowest of the six major candidates. The good news for Giuliani is that he was careful with his money in the early stages of the campaign, ending March with almost $12 million on hand — just edging out Mitt Romney.

It's easy for Giuliani to be thrifty right now, because everyone knows who he is. Romney, on the other hand, may be the least known of the major candidates and needs to get his name out to voters. So far, however, Romney's poll numbers haven't risen much, even as John McCain's have fallen.

Is Romney's money not buying him anything? Are voters learning who he is and then deciding they don't like him? It's too early to answer either question, especially since he's running against two well-known candidates. But at least one poll has indicated that McCain's supporters might be drifting toward Fred Thompson, who isn't even in the race yet. If Romney's poll numbers in early primary states continue to stay flat, the pressure to gain traction, and quick, will become intense.

Of course, the most pored-over report may be that of Democrat Hillary Clinton, especially her spending. Clinton was criticized for spending freely in last year's Senate re-election bid even though her victory was never in doubt. This year, like Giuliani, she faces no need to make herself known to people in Iowa, New Hampshire or anywhere else. If Clinton has a high "burn rate" it could raise eyebrows, given her shrinking leads in several polls over Barack Obama and John Edwards.

Another number to look out for: how much Clinton has socked away for the general election. The fact that Clinton didn't disclose this number ahead of time led to speculation that a good chunk of the $25 million she raised may be off-limits during the primary campaign.

Imus Aftermath: Don Imus has been fired from his radio show, but the story will still be in the news on Monday as Clinton speaks at Rutgers University, home of the women's basketball team Imus discussed in controversial remarks that ended up costing him his job. Clinton was quick to call for Imus' firing after the remarks, and it's likely her visit will include praise for the women basketball players Imus targeted.

Clinton's handling of this issue illustrates the importance of both blacks and women to her campaign. Imus' remarks were criticized as not only racist, but also sexist, giving Clinton, the only woman in the race, an opportunity to discuss an issue on which her opponents, all men, can't enjoy the same credibility.

The visit will also allow her to emphasize her support for the concerns of black voters, who were loyal to her husband during his administration but now face serious overtures from Obama.

Thanks, But No Thanks, Donors: Virginia could be in for its second competitive Senate race in four years — if incumbent Republican Sen. John Warner's latest fundraising report is any indication. The popular Warner reported raising the astounding sum of… $500. That's no typo. In fact, it might have required some work on Warner's part. Popular, longstanding incumbents can draw in money without even trying during an election cycle — perhaps Warner had to send a few checks back.

The low number has heightened speculation that Warner plans on retiring instead of seeking another term, which has Democrats excited. They've won the state's past two gubernatorial elections, and Jim Webb pulled off an upset last year over Republican Sen. George Allen. Plus, with former Gov. Mark Warner not running for president, they have a candidate who would be formidable even if running against the incumbent.

Of course, all hope would not be lost for the GOP if Warner retired: Virginia has voted Republican in every presidential election going back to 1968, and one of the party's top potential candidates is Rep. Thomas M. Davis, who has remained popular in increasingly liberal northern Virginia.

Editor's Note: Pure Horserace is a daily update of political news as interpreted by the political observers at CBSNews.com. Click here to sign up for the e-mail version.