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US rivals to file campaign funds US rivals to file campaign funds
(about 5 hours later)
Contenders for the US presidential race are set to give their 2007 fundraising figures, as spending soars ahead of a multi-state contest on Tuesday.Contenders for the US presidential race are set to give their 2007 fundraising figures, as spending soars ahead of a multi-state contest on Tuesday.
The candidates' totals for year-end and the last quarter of 2007 may give clues as to the health of their campaigns.The candidates' totals for year-end and the last quarter of 2007 may give clues as to the health of their campaigns.
Democrat Barack Obama's year-end total is not yet known. However, his campaign said he had raised $32m so far in 2008.Democrat Barack Obama's year-end total is not yet known. However, his campaign said he had raised $32m so far in 2008.
Republican John McCain, whose finances were rocky last year, reported raising $6.7m in the last quarter of 2007.Republican John McCain, whose finances were rocky last year, reported raising $6.7m in the last quarter of 2007.
His campaign said he had raised an additional $7m in the first three weeks of January, during which time his bid for the Republican nomination saw a significant boost.His campaign said he had raised an additional $7m in the first three weeks of January, during which time his bid for the Republican nomination saw a significant boost.
The figures for fellow Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul, as well as for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, will be watched with interest. The figures for fellow Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul, as well as for Democrat Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama's chief rival, will be watched with interest.
All are spending heavily ahead of so-called Super Tuesday on 5 February, when more than 20 states vote for their preferred candidate to run for president in November's election. All are spending heavily ahead of so-called Super Tuesday on 5 February, when Democrats and Republicans in more than 20 states vote for their preferred candidate to run for president in November's election.
The deadline for filing their year-end totals is midnight on Thursday.
'New donors''New donors'
Mr Obama's campaign said he was now advertising in 20 of the 22 states in play on Super Tuesday and intends to begin running commercials in seven more states that hold primaries or caucuses later in February. Mr Obama's campaign said he was now advertising in 20 of the 22 states in play on Super Tuesday and intended to begin running commercials in seven more states that hold primaries or caucuses later in February.
Mr Obama's campaign says he has enough cash to advertise widelyMr Obama's campaign says he has enough cash to advertise widely
Mrs Clinton is advertising in 12 Super Tuesday states. Mrs Clinton, senator for New York, is advertising in 12 Super Tuesday states.
Among them are California - which with 370 pledged delegates at stake for the Democrats and 170 for the Republicans is the day's biggest prize - and New York.Among them are California - which with 370 pledged delegates at stake for the Democrats and 170 for the Republicans is the day's biggest prize - and New York.
"We think that the strength of our financial position and the number of donors does speak to financial sustainability if it ends up going through March and April," Mr Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe told the Associated Press."We think that the strength of our financial position and the number of donors does speak to financial sustainability if it ends up going through March and April," Mr Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe told the Associated Press.
"We think we will have the financial resources to conduct vigorous campaigns in the states to come.""We think we will have the financial resources to conduct vigorous campaigns in the states to come."
Mr Plouffe said the campaign had attracted 170,000 new donors and had some 650,000 on its books overall. Mr Plouffe said the campaign had attracted 170,000 new donors in January and had some 650,000 on its books overall.
The $32m Mr Obama reportedly raised in the first three weeks of this year matches his best quarter of 2007. The $32m Mr Obama, a senator for Illinois, reportedly raised in the first three weeks of this year matches his best quarter of 2007.
A spokesman for Mrs Clinton's campaign told the AFP news agency that what mattered more than money was whether people turned out to vote for her.
"Fundraising is one of the most important markers in the lead-up to voting. But once people start voting, that's a more important measure of a campaign's success," Jay Carson said.
According to figures previously released by their campaigns, Mrs Clinton raised $24m for the primary contest in the last three months of 2007, while Mr Obama brought in $22.4m.
Advertising spendAdvertising spend
Meanwhile, Mr McCain's year-end figures for 2007, filed with the Federal Election Commission two days early, show he ended the year with a $4.5m debt but was helped by a $3m loan he secured in November.Meanwhile, Mr McCain's year-end figures for 2007, filed with the Federal Election Commission two days early, show he ended the year with a $4.5m debt but was helped by a $3m loan he secured in November.
The credit lifeline allowed him to focus advertising and resources on New Hampshire, where he won the 8 January primary election.The credit lifeline allowed him to focus advertising and resources on New Hampshire, where he won the 8 January primary election.
He faces a tough battle on Super Tuesday against Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and businessman who has poured millions of dollars of his personal wealth into his campaign.He faces a tough battle on Super Tuesday against Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and businessman who has poured millions of dollars of his personal wealth into his campaign.
In Florida, which Mr McCain won by a narrow margin on Tuesday, Mr Romney outspent his rival on advertising by an estimated three-to-one.In Florida, which Mr McCain won by a narrow margin on Tuesday, Mr Romney outspent his rival on advertising by an estimated three-to-one.
Mr McCain's endorsement this week by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race following a disappointing result in Florida, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may help his cause.
Mr Huckabee, an ordained Baptist preacher, is hoping that his appeal to conservative evangelical voters in southern states will keep him in the race despite his limited funds.Mr Huckabee, an ordained Baptist preacher, is hoping that his appeal to conservative evangelical voters in southern states will keep him in the race despite his limited funds.
Ron Paul, who has attracted strong online backing although failing to make a big impact at the polls, is likely to report impressive campaign finance figures for the last quarter of 2007, when supporters held two massive fundraising days.Ron Paul, who has attracted strong online backing although failing to make a big impact at the polls, is likely to report impressive campaign finance figures for the last quarter of 2007, when supporters held two massive fundraising days.