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US rivals file campaign funding US rivals file campaign funding
(about 1 hour later)
Contenders for the US presidential race are giving their 2007 fundraising figures, as spending soars ahead of a multi-state contest next Tuesday.Contenders for the US presidential race are giving their 2007 fundraising figures, as spending soars ahead of a multi-state contest next 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 $6.8m in the last quarter of 2007.Republican John McCain, whose finances were rocky last year, reported raising $6.8m 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.
Hillary Clinton's campaign raised $26.8m in the last quarter, giving a total of $107.1m in contributions overall. FOURTH QUARTER FUNDRAISING Hillary Clinton - $26.8m Barack Obama $23mMitt Romney - $9m John McCain - $6.8mMike Huckabee - $6.6m Hillary Clinton's campaign raised $26.8m in the last quarter, giving a total of $107.1m in contributions overall.
By contrast, Republican Mike Huckabee received only $6.6m in the last three months of 2007, giving a total of $9m overall.By contrast, Republican Mike Huckabee received only $6.6m in the last three months of 2007, giving a total of $9m overall.
Candidates 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.Candidates 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.
'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 intended 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 24 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 widely
Mrs Clinton, senator for New York, 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 in January 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, a senator for Illinois, raised since the start of this year matches his best quarter of 2007. The $32m Mr Obama, a senator for Illinois, raised since the start of this year comes after he raised nearly $23m in the fourth 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.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."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.
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. Mr Obama's campaign says he has enough cash to advertise widely
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 own wealth into his campaign.
Mr Romney ploughed $18m of his personal fortune into his White House bid during the last three months of 2007, raising $9m from donors during the same period.
He has spent $34m and had just $2.4m left at the end of the year, according to his Federal Election Commission report.
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 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.