One Primary Later, A Few Dollars Richer
By John Jessup
CBN News Washington Correspondent
April 24, 2008
CBNNews.com - The next Democratic primary race is less than two weeks away and Hillary Clinton not only has the momentum of her win in Pennsylvania but also a little more cash on hand.
The battle for campaign dollars is only one aspect of the protracted fight.
First Came the Win, and then Came the Money
The Pennsylvania victory gave Clinton a serious influx of cash. Her campaign estimates it took in $10-million in new one-day contributions.
And she asks 'Why stop there?'
"I would really welcome a contribution because we are being outspent. In Pennsylvania, somewhere around three…to one. We really had to hustle, my opponent is formidable," she said.
Clinton trails Barack Obama in campaign fundraising, running in the red with debt her campaign acknowledged earlier in the week.
She's also behind in delegates and the state primaries won. So now Clinton's selling her new pitch:
"I am very proud that as of today, I have received more votes by the people who have voted than anybody else and I am proud of that," she said.
But that only works if you count the votes from Florida and Michigan -- discounted because they violated party rules. If those two states are subtracted, Obama can also claim the biggest popular vote.
"If we've won the most delegates and the most voters, it might be a good idea to make me the nominee," Obama said.
Mudslinging Likely to Continue
As the candidates try to outdo the other, the tone of the negative campaigning in Pennsylvania will likely continue in other states.
An ad sponsored by North Carolina's Republican Party - has already sparked controversy.
John McCain, the GOP presumptive nominee, called it offensive and has asked that it not run.
But the state's party leaders don't plan to take it down.
"It is entirely appropriate," North Carolina GOP Chair Linda Daves insisted.
Now, both Obama and Clinton are intensifying their efforts ahead of the primaries which is less than two weeks away.
North Carolina, Indiana - Last But Not Least
Despite the eager fight to be among the first states to hold a primary, it turns out that having one this late in the game is working to the advantage of states like Indiana and North Carolina.
They could play a decisive role in choosing the nominee.
One voter said, "I'm glad to see the race is coming down to the real polls, the nitty gritty especially down here in North Carolina where we actually have a chance to make a difference."
Right now Obama has an edge in North Carolina - the state with the most delegates in play the rest of this primary season.
Some analysts say Clinton has to win there to try to convince superdelegates that the momentum really is on her side.
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