Hillary bests Obama in third quarter fundraising, though Obama maintains edge overall

Sen. Hillary Clinton bested Sen. Barack Obama in third quarter fundraising for 2008's Democratic primaries, raising $27 million to Obama's $20 million, which he reported yesterday.

Clinton has 100,000 new donors, according to her filing. Obama had 93,000.

But Obama still maintains a slim lead in overall fundraising, his total being $75 million to Clinton's $73.

Yesterday, Obama's campaign immediately styled the figures as a slap to many pundits who have already predicted Clinton will coast to the Democratic nomination.

"Many in Washington have spent the last weeks declaring the outcome of this race to be pre-ordained, and the primary process a mere formality," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

"Yet, in this quarter alone, 93,000 more Americans joined our campaign, because they desire real change and believe Barack Obama is the one candidate who can deliver it."

A further one million dollars raised by Obama in the period, can be used only in the general election next year, if he wins the Democratic nomination.

Quarterly fundraising figures are a closely watched barometer of the presidential race, offering hints on a candidate's popularity, and capacity to buy crucial television advertising and wage a long nominating campaign.

Leading Republicans had also to officially announce the fruits of their latest campaign financing drives, though Republicans have lagged far behind their Democratic counterparts.

With wire services.



