Who Is Leading Whom?
A fairly surprising bit of reporting from Andrew Romano of Newsweek's Stumper blog. It seems that the supposed big money advantage that Obama has over McCain doesn't exist. In fact, McCain will have considerably more cash going into the general election than Obama - by a rather large margin.
For all the pundits who predicted that Democratic nominee Barack Obama would crush McCain in the general-election money race, this should come as something of a surprise. After all, Obama raked in a record-breaking $280 million during the primary season; McCain's receipts totaled a measly $120 million. But as the last few months of federal fund raising disclosures have shown, "the real surprise" of this year's cash chase–as I wrote on July 11–is that "it's much more competitive than anyone expected." And the latest numbers are no expection.
While Obama netted a massive $51 million in July–again clobbering McCain, who racked up $27 million–the important statistic to look at is the combined amount of cash-on-hand for each candidate and his party (i.e, how much is actually available to spend on getting the nominee elected). In this case, the totals are nearly identical: the Republicans finished July with $96 million in the bank ($75 million for the RNC, $21 million for McCain) versus $94.3 million for the Democrats ($25.8 million for the DNC, $65.8 million for Obama). Bottom line: neither candidate is struggling financially.
There's more, do hop over and read it. As Romano points out, McCain will not have to fund raise during the general election. He opted for public financing and will be getting large monthly checks as a result. Obama will have to continue raising funds right through election day. McCain is currently outspending Obama by large margins in key states. Admittedly, the results are mixed so far, but things are not quite what many predicted, either.
By martian, Wednesday, 20 August , 2008 @ 11:33 am
Let’s hope this is the start of a trend. It will be interesting to see what kind of bounce the Obamessiah will get from his convention - a convention where he has allowed himself to be railroaded into being a sideshow. With major speeches by each of the Clintons on separate nights and a roll call vote for Hillary on the agenda, the Obamessiah’s acceptance speech will look like an afterthought. If he’s this much of a whimp facing challengers from his own party, can you imagine how much of a whimp he’d be facing up to Putin, Ahmadinejad (Ahm a Doofy Jerk), Kim Jung Il or Chavez?
This guy is looking more and more like a disaster looking for someone to let him happen to them.
By Quilly Mammoth, Wednesday, 20 August , 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Friends of mine who are "uncommitted" now feel that two recent events will push them to McCain. Obama’s wavering on Russia and his total failure to be prepared for the abortion question posed at Saddlebrook. Which stumps me too. How could Barak not know that was coming and not have a polished answer ready?
By martian, Wednesday, 20 August , 2008 @ 2:13 pm
But, Quilly, I saw on the news just the other night what a clearly masterful performance the Obamessiah had at Saddlebrook - how he was totally in command while McCain appeared terse and unprepared. Does anyone still doubt that the MSM is nothing more than a propaganda ministry for the Democratic Party and their favorite golden boy?
By syn, Wednesday, 20 August , 2008 @ 2:40 pm
All my campaign dollars go directly to the individual candidates running for House and Senate who I can feel good about supporting ie Russell, West, Manion, Pearce, Zeldin, to name a few.
As to the race for the White House, at this point I can only hope the Republican Party’s presidential candidate will not stabotage himself.
By Quilly Mammoth, Wednesday, 20 August , 2008 @ 6:21 pm
What worries me is not the slow posting of Gaius, but rather the complete abandonment of coverage of the Animal Uprising. There have been numerous examples lately and Gaius has completely ignored them! For all we know the Animal Uprising has been successful in it’s battle and right now a pair of squirells and a penquin are controlling the posting.
By Rich Horton, Thursday, 21 August , 2008 @ 11:52 am
For all we know the Animal Uprising has been successful in it’s battle and right now a pair of squirells and a penquin are controlling the posting.
Nothing of the sort has happened I can assure you.
In an unrelated note I will now be blogging for nuts.
By Gaius, Thursday, 21 August , 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Crap, Rich, Who offered you a raise?
QM, I’m afraid the Crabitat has been overrun with animals of late. The wife keeps bringing home puppies.
By Mwalimu Daudi, Thursday, 21 August , 2008 @ 6:24 pm
In an unrelated note I will now be blogging for nuts.
Is that wisecrack aimed at us? Or Gaius?