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Clinton takes lead in fundraising Clinton takes lead in fundraising
(about 4 hours later)
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has reported raising $27m in the third quarter of 2007, some $7m more than chief rival Barack Obama.Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has reported raising $27m in the third quarter of 2007, some $7m more than chief rival Barack Obama.
Ms Clinton has been leading in national polls but trailed Mr Obama in fundraising for the second quarter. Mrs Clinton has been leading in national polls but trailed Mr Obama in fundraising for the second quarter.
Meanwhile Republican Fred Thompson, who entered the race last month, raised more than $11.5m, media reports say.Meanwhile Republican Fred Thompson, who entered the race last month, raised more than $11.5m, media reports say.
Candidates must report the total raised from June to September to the Federal Election Commission by 15 October.Candidates must report the total raised from June to September to the Federal Election Commission by 15 October.
The third quarter of the year is traditionally seen as a difficult period in terms of fundraising because it falls over the summer months. The third quarter of the year is traditionally seen as a difficult period in terms of fundraising because it falls over the summer months when many people are on holiday.
Cash on hand The candidates will be keen to have as much in the bank as possible as they approach the primary elections - which decide who is nominated to run for each party - starting in January.
Announcing Ms Clinton's $27m haul in an email to supporters, her campaign manager said it was "our best quarter yet". The Republican contenders have yet formally to announce their fundraising totals for the third quarter.
The figure includes $22m that can be spent on campaigning for the primary race, which begins in January, and a further $5m to fund a general election campaign if she is chosen as the Democratic candidate. 'Not a formality'
Fred Thompson joined the Republican race late Announcing Mrs Clinton's $27m haul in an email to supporters, her campaign manager said it was "our best quarter yet".
Mr Obama's campaign said his third-quarter total of $20m - all but $1m of which is for the primary race - took his total amount raised over the course of this year to $75m. It includes $22m that can be spent on campaigning for the primary race, and a further $5m to fund a general election campaign if she is chosen as the Democratic candidate.
Campaign manager David Plouffe used the announcement to cast doubt on suggestions that Ms Clinton's increasing lead in many polls meant Mr Obama's operation was losing ground. Actor and politician Fred Thompson joined the Republican race late
Mr Obama's campaign said his third-quarter figure of $20m - all but $1m of which is for the primary race - took his total raised for the primaries over the course of this year to $75m.
Campaign manager David Plouffe used the announcement to cast doubt on suggestions that Mrs Clinton's increasing lead in many polls meant Mr Obama's operation was losing ground.
"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," he said."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," he said.
"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.""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."
The campaign for John Edwards said he had raised some $7m over the past three months, down from $9m in the second quarter. The campaign for John Edwards, seen as the third-placed runner in the Democratic field, said he had raised some $7m over the past three months, down from $9m in the second quarter.
Analysts are waiting for the detailed breakdown of candidates' fundraising activities to see how much money they have spent and, vitally, how much they have on hand for the final push to the primary season. The Associated Press news agency quotes Republican sources saying Fred Thompson, who only formally announced his candidacy in early September, has raised more than $11.5m in this quarter.
The candidates for the Republican nomination have yet formally to announce their fundraising totals for the third quarter. About a third of that amount was donated before the former actor and Tennessee senator declared, meaning he has raised about $200,000 a day since, AP says.
Cash on hand
The latest results follow a record-breaking haul for the Democrats in the second quarter of 2007.
Mr Obama, senator for Illinois, raised some $32.8m (£16.4m) from April to June, almost all of it for the primary elections - the biggest ever take for a Democrat at that stage of the electoral cycle.
Mrs Clinton collected some $27m in the same period, of which $21.5m was for the primary election and $5.7m to spend in a potential general election campaign.
Analysts are waiting for the detailed breakdown of candidates' fundraising activities to see how much money they have spent and, vitally, how much they still have on hand for the final push to the primary elections.
The Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries are due to take place in early January, although a final date has not yet been agreed.
Donors can give up to $2,300 for the primary race and the same amount again for the general election race, when the parties' chosen candidates compete for the presidency.