Romney has loaned himself nearly $9M, which, when subtracted from his $12M cash-on-hand, would suggest that receipts in have not kept pace with disbursements, generally, which have totaled more than $32M. Romney donors said that they had been told that Romney was prepared to spend another $5M to keep his campaign's budget intact. They give a range of $10M to $12M for individual contributions in the third quarter.If this is true that Fred Thompson is barely ahead of John McCain in the fundraising department, it certainly does not bode well for Team Thompson. Even considering that Thompson has not revved up the engine throughout the third quarter, he should have been able to reach out and tap the primary network of contributors for a big initial flush of cash. Either his network isn't very big, or the enthusiasm with which his campaign has been received will receive a cold shower.John McCain will raise between $4 and $5M; Fred Thompson will probably raise around $6M.
Add this to the common wisdom that Fred is a little lazy and this may blow up into a serious obstacle for the campaign. It's not even about the money, it's the perception of being a inflatable candidate: If he goes up like a balloon, he may be easy to pop.
This doesn't mean anything to John McCain of course, in practicality, he's still over, even if he's raised a couple more million that I expected. But for Romney and Giuliani, it's a sigh of relief if they can pile up a huge cash advantage. They can then use that if needed to buy marketing to counter a grassroots Fred effort. Think Kerry vs. Dean in 2004 and you got it.
The Democratic fundraising preview can be summed up like this: Hillary has raised gobs of money and has more than enough not only to fend off her challengers, but has long since started collecting money for the general election.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. Mike Huckabee is one of those candidate that will not dare do what he is saying now if elected as president.It is very simple to understand his intention and his motive.He is a lip service kind of candidate with storage of petition to block his image if get elected to the White house.
KaM at 3:59AM on Oct 23rd 2007
17. In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. He should be ok in funds.
I voted for Romney at
http://ourvote.us
He needs our votes!
Voter at 9:35PM on Oct 24th 2007
18. Amusing how many ideas of Dr.Ron Pauls are now being adopted by his competitors. No mention of his fund raising last quarter in this article. Ignoring him won't make a determined person of principle dissapear.
R. Prescott at 11:41AM on Oct 25th 2007
19. Mitt Romney talk about helping Americans by using American economic ideas while Hilliary Clinton preferred the old European economic system that is now buried in the backyard by most European countries.What a big different between these two minds.
Image at 2:13PM on Oct 27th 2007
20. Hellow America!Let me tell you all what a relief and a blessing to have someone like Mitt Romney to preside over our nations economy because I'm sure we all agree that none of the other candidates have seriously demonstrate how are they going to manage and control spending which is the very important area in budgeting our finances.It's time to put an end to this unkind earmarks practices in Congress.It is drainning our economy to the point of no return if the right watchman on the tower is not at the White House.I strongly believe we need Mitt Romney to quard our economic growth.
Pen at 3:46AM on Oct 30th 2007
21. The Red Sox and the Patriots are very good signs for Mitt Romney going into the Primaries and the General Election.
True Truth at 12:59PM on Oct 30th 2007
22. It's seems like according to the early States Poll as other candidates move up slightly Mitt Romney widen the gap more an more from the top tiers candidates and he's alone on the top.This show the voters are starting to feel comfortable and warm with Romney to be our next President.
KaM at 1:00AM on Oct 31st 2007
23. As I watched the Democratic debate the other night I couldn't help but thinking this is not a strong debate from a party that talked so much about taking back the White House.The much talked about frontrunner Hilliary Clinton stumbled like a drunken sailor as she tried to please everybody.She could've just stick to one side like John Edwards and throw decisive counter punch but instead she opted to take it all without thinking of the risks as a result.It is getting harder for her now to avoid defeat from either Edwards or Obama especially Edwards.Polls means nothing at all during these last few weeks as each candidates sprint to the finishing line.How strong and how fast Hilliary as a finisher is in question but the signs of fatigue are starting to show on the candidate.It is becoming a reality that Hilliary is vulnerable of a disasterous defeat.
Realistic at 12:43PM on Nov 5th 2007
24. The true conservative icons are endorsing Mitt Romney for President.
KaM at 1:54PM on Nov 8th 2007
25. It's getting close to the Primaries and judging from each candidates performance so far I say Mitt Romney is a fierce fighter of very important issues such as Immigration,Taxes,Abortion,Marriages,Families,Education,Economy,Security and our Military.He continue fighting for many more important issues for example Homeschool credit for parents etc.He's been relentless in preaching the Rule of Law for all issues and spend a lot of his family wealth as well as donation from supporters to make sure this nation get back on the right track of conservative principles.It'is only such way we will solve many problems that we're facing as a nation.Governor Romney is a man of vision with the right attitude and expertise to lead this country forward.He's a knowledgeable candidate with many years as a leader and executive of various companies,organisation and government.Mitt Romney will solve problems and turn around this country for the better.
KaM at 12:38AM on Nov 17th 2007
26. The last Democratic debate looks more like childrens debate.The only female candidate sounds like a little sister telling her brothers "don't do that I'll call daddy".The brothers stop bothering her and she ran away teasing the brothers.I didn't watch the rest of the debate because I got bored there was no fire from any of the candidates far different from the Republican debate.
KaM at 2:59AM on Nov 17th 2007
27. If you want some insight into Fred Thompson or just enjoy political satire, watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7pok0TKDU8
J. Fields at 6:25AM on Nov 18th 2007
28. It's funny how the Democrats including Rudy Giuliani try to put the blame on Romney because a Democrat judge in Massechsset decided on her wisdom to let a felon loose that end up committimg murder in another state.If they think this will work against Romney they are in for a hard and difficult battle they wish they wouldn't start.
Realistic at 6:02AM on Nov 28th 2007
29. If I write a book on a particular candidate it would be Mitt Romney,and the title? "The Iowa Romney"and the reason is he is the only GOP frontrunner believed the Iowa Straw Poll as the path to the white House in contrast to Rudy Giuliani and John McCain they pin their hope somewhere else.Because Romney lead in that effort the rest of the GOP candidates seems in favor of the move by the former Massechusset Governor.Whatever way some might look at it I believe Mitt Romneys strategy not only help himself but most important the Iowa Straw Poll proves to be the beginning of great things to come.President of the United States? So far it's been proven successful.
KaM at 2:51PM on Nov 28th 2007
30. GLOBAL WARMING IS THE BIGGEST GLOBAL FRAUD.
Realistic at 1:57AM on Nov 29th 2007