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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Clinton camp raises $35 mil in Feb.

Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:16 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Later this afternoon, the Clinton campaign will hold a conference call with reporters, during which it will announce having raised $35 million in the month of February, according to news reports. That amount is more than double what it raised in January -- and it comes after surge in online fundraising in the wake of Clinton announcing that she had to loan her campaign $5 million.

The Obama campaign has yet to announce the size of its February haul, but spokesman Bill Burton tells First Read: "We have raised considerably more."

Obama raised $36 million in January.

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So what?  Where are your Tax returns and White House papers?

Don't cry when you see Obama's February numbers.
WHATS THAT "HER campaign is over, she should throw in the towel" OBAMA has already one this.
That's great that she has been able to raise so much money...its great for the Democratic party anyway.  Yes we are the party of inclusion and participation in this primary is reaching the stars.  That makes me proud.

However, I have to ask...why WAS she so late to the fundraising party.  Does it show great judgment that she is just now doing what Barack Obama has done all along?

Now, who is running as the EXPERIENCE candidate??
Go Hillary go. I hope all of the U.S. will see what I do that you are the best for the job. I wish my will could put you in office, but I hope my voice will earn votes.
I doubt they are being completely truthful here. The front people say they were raising about a million a day, but the actual campaign workers who bring in the cash and count it said a while back they still had concerns, because they were only raising about half as much as Obama.

That comment was paraphrased here on First Read and elsewhere, about a week after Super Tuesday. Its possible the second half of February was much better than the first half, but even as those comments were being reported, we already had days of Clinton spokespeople talking about the million/day pace.

Which brings us to now. We all agree the Clinton camp sees March 4 as a question of survival - no more margin for error - right?

So why is Obama outspending Clinton in ad buys? If they have the money, and need big margins of victory in the two big states, why aren't they matching Obama's ads?
"President Bush said Thursday the country is not recession-bound"

That tears it. Now I know we are in deep trouble.
does anyone else find the animal pictures msnbc uses at the top of this blog page disturbingly scary looking?  i mean, in a freaky, horror movie kind of way.  maybe like they're from a flick about possessed circus animals turning on the clowns, animal tamers and other carnies before letting loose on a small nearby hamlet.
Hmmm doing the math here, let's see Obama had over a million donations and they are at least 25$.... yeah I bet it is considerably more. Go Obama!!! Makes me proud to know even though I donated what I really couldn't afford, Obama makes it worth it. I cannot take the chance on hoping someone else will do it. I'm in this thing for change and I know it's people like myself who will be a part of why this change comes to be.
Well good for obama. Who really cares about how much money a campaign raises versus another. Obama is the incumbent. Hillary gas to wait 4 more years.
How are all of those people going to feel when they realized that their donations were for nothing?  Also, I'm sure all of that money was wasted on donuts, coffee, and other wasteful things.

Latest Rasmussen Polls:

Three Day Tracking:
Obama - 49%
Clinton - 40%

Texas:
Obama - 48%
Clinton - 44%
Way to go Hillary. Fight for us, we need you. Did anyone notice during the debate, now that he has money he doesn't want to keep his word if he is the nominee? He'll talk to McCain when it's time. Well it ain't gonna be time because it ain't gonna be him. Hillary in '08.
Interesting news to say the least. Raising 35 million in February. After all, wasn't Bill Clinton a few says ago pleading for a 1.9 million in donations to compete with Obama's advertising. I am not sure what to think of it. It doesn't seem to pass the smell test. But, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
What a contrast - Britain's Prince Harry on front line in Afghanistan and American idol raising considerably more bucks than his opponent.

Barack has a cool, soft-feminine brand and people faint at his emotional rallies but he doesn't do well on substance without his cue cards.

If money and myth win over substance and the ability to do the job, America really is in meltdown!

Hillary the HOPE of 08 or McCain 08  :)
It's terrible to waste 35 million on a candidacy that is going no where. Especially one that does not know how to manage money. And Hillary thinks she can better serve this country on the economic issues, ha! We could have used that money to build new roads and highways rather then spending 1,500 a shot when the Clinton team has a craving for doughnuts or 5,000 a shot when they feel like having pizza.    
I think what we would like to know from the Clinton campaign is where the $5 million she loaned herself came from. After news of the former president's lobbying of foreign leaders on behalf of corporations then receiving large sums of contributions in thier trust and library we should know if these were funds earned through thier own work or if it was given to them by someone that might want to have some influence. Afterall, the Clinton's are not that rich to where they would have $5 million sitting around.
Kudos, to all those Hillary Supporters that have been flying under the media radar for quite some time now!!  

Thank you for reporting some positive news on behalf of millions of women, men and children that firmly believe Hillary Clinton is the best choice to be our next President.  They are working hard to make that happen, just as Hillary is...they are proud to have her "back".  
Whoopeeee!  Doesn't matter what they raise.  I think anyone dumb enough to give money to a mismanaged campaign deserves what they get when she becomes President.  How do we work on these big issues if she can't balance her own campaign's checkbook.
HILLARY CLINTON HAS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF NEW INTERNET SUPPORTERS WHO ARE DONATING DAILY THROUGH HER WEB SITE HILLARYCLINTONDOTCOM. THE BLOGS ARE FURIOUS WITH SUPPORTERS BEGGING TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO HELP HER WIN THE NOMINATION.  CAR LOADS OF SUPPORTERS ARE TRAVELING TO TEXAS AND OHIO AS I WRITE THIS. HAVE HILLARY'S SUPPORTER GIVEN UP?  NOT A CHANCE! BATTLING NOT ONLY OBAMA BUT THE BIASED MAIN STREAM MEDIA, WE WILL SUPPORT HILLARY UNTIL SHE IS NOMINATED AND THEN FIGHT LIKE HELL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.  STAND UP WOMEN, OUR GIRL HAS BEEN KICKED AROUND LONG ENOUGH!  VOTE HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT!
Are we sure that the $35 million does not include another loan?  She "fibbed" about the total last time, conveniently leaving out the fact that she loaned herself $5 million to make up for her bad spending habits.

I bet Obama's numbers are above $45 million dollars.  That is absolutely amazing.
Money will not matter.  WOMEN FOR HILLARY will vote her into office.  We will put her on the ballot with or with out obscene amounts of money.  Women make less than men and work harder and smarter so we will be inventive and write Hillary on the ballot if necessary. Money and Media be dammed!
In other news, George Soro's is down another $35 million in his checking account.
And they blew it all in Texas and Ohio.  Nothing left for PA where they don't even have a full slate of delegates on the ballot.

Each news clip of her these days, you can read that "doomed look" on her face.  Tuesday is the end of the road.
How can Hillary claim any competence to run the country, if she can not handle her campaign?

She has spent something like $175,000,000.00 and still is whinning about Obama spending more on ads.

Tell Bill to stay away from the doughnuts.

All the fear monger and Hussein haters are about to get a heart attack.
This could be just a million of the Husseins out there.
We are doing this to SHOW society that we are not ashamed. There is nothing wrong with his name, it is the name of his ancestors. If anyone has a problem with that or the fact that we support our candidate no matter what his name is then I say: SHAME ON THEM!

1. Vic Hussein Indiana
2. Janet Hussein from Northern CA
3. Tony Hussein
4. Melisa Hussein K.S. of MONTANA
5. Terry Hussein in Up State NY
6. Starstar Hussein
7. JimmieHusseinFromDayton
8. Doris Hussein, MD
9. Emily Hussein Hopemonger in Charlottesville, VA
10. C Hussein K
11. Mb hussien
12. Rita Hussein Martinez
13. Mama HUSSEIN 4 Obama
14. Jen Hussein, Deep in the Heart
15. yvette hussein
16. Michael Hussein James
17. Jim Hussein Bickerstaff
18. Stanley Hussein Krute
19. Doris Hussein, MD
20. TRUE HUSSEIN LOVA
21. Molly Hussein Hopemonger from Missouri
22. sunshine hussein
23. Mary Hussein in NorCal
24. Seth Hussein in Chicago
25. JessHusseinFerg
26. Hope Hussein in Texas
27. Desert Hussein Dan
28. Nancy "Hussein" B from PA
29. Laura Hussein Hubka
30. Alex Hussein in Lex
31. Sandra lovemyname Hussein
32. An American Hussein Abroad
33. mike hussein u.s. air force veteran
34. DenHusseinforObama MA
35. Sano Hussein
36. The name Hussein means handsome!
37. Ngenger Hussein
38. zoharita "Hussein"
39. sherry hussein H
40. Red_pill Hussein from Memphis
41. Sharon Hussein - Independent for Obama
42. Jade "Hussein"
43. charles hussein fiddler
44. Arlene Hussein Hopkins in Maine
45. Leila "Hussein"
46. Gary Hussein in Las Cruces
47. Arlene Hussein Hopkins in Maine
48. Great Hussein Gran
49. Lisa "Hussein" (Long Island, NY)
50. SaSa "Hussein"
51. ladiabla hussein
52. Sherman Hussein
53. Jamie Hussein
54. Bobbie Sue Hussein Greenearth
55. Bob "Hussein" Mutch
56. Kyle "Hussein" Greene
57. sherry hussein H
58. Grandma Judy Hussein
59. Preya Hussein Clark
60. Johnnie "Hussein" in Saratoga
61. Monica Hussein, Proud American
62. Isabelle Hussein
63. Johnnie "Hussein" in Saratoga
64. Yvonne Hussein J.
65. ALLAN HUSSEIN
66. Brooke Hussein
67. Obamacan (Call me Hussein)
68. Diana Hissein R
69. Stanley Hussein Krute
70. Chima "Hussein" Ordu
71. latinOHussein
72. Kelly Lee "Hussein" Phipps
73. Sweet "Hussein" in Louisiana
74. kjhusseinoftherock*
75. Whitney Hussein
76. PAUL HUSSEIN
77. Bink Hussein Loves Obama!
78. Jordan "hussein" from Manchester, CT
79. Destiny Hussein
80. Boomer Hussein
81. Praying Hard Hussein
82. MRA - Mary Hussein, NY
83. DHusseinD IN So Cal
84. Clay Hussein from Silver Spring, MD
85. CathyHusseinNYC
86. Bella "Hussein" in NYC
87. Veronica "Hussein" from CA.
88. ANN HUSSEIN
89. La Bohème Hussein
90. Fabu Hussein
91. Stan Hussein Zantarski
92. E Hussein Smith, City of Angels
93. JDF Hussein
94. K. Hussein Bell
95. Jill 'Hussein' K from Redondo Beach, CA
96. Kimberly Hussein Russell
97. Morgan Hussein in Seattle
98. ChiHusseinSox
99. Megan Hussein from Madtown
100. Nikki Hussein Watsom
101. Hussein McCain
Just curious: Did the Clinton campaign accrue any debt in January?

P.S. That is ALOT of money! :)
I am a Hillary supporter and must say I am so proud of you. The poise and steadfastness in face of all thrown at you is one of the very reasons we feel you are the right choice.Your dedication to drive forward to solve the problems of so many and touch there lives to make them better is great.I am sure this drive will be rewarded by the many who see  that experience has piled up to make you the person YOU are.We in NY appreciate you kept your word to work for us and gain more experience when going to the US Senate. You didnt dump us in 04. Now Hillary God Bless you on your way to the top.Those side trips to help others along the way  when you could have been useing time campaigning will not go unnoticed either.
Hopefully, Sen. Clinton and her staff realizes that in addition to being able to "manage" a campaign, the campaign must also have a candidate with character and integrity in order to achieve success.

OBAMA, 2008!
To HRC....It's NOT the money...it's your mismanagement and poor campaign messages.

Will the real HRC please stand up?
Does this $35 million INCLUDE the $5 million she gave herself?
This money will only help if she does well with the states that have primaries on March 4th.  I am beginning to think that she has less of a chance.  I will know along with the rest of the country on March 4th if Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island have chosen Obama or Clinton.
Who are the LOSERS giving money to Hillary Clinton ?

They MUST NEED Presidential pardons....

There truly is a 'sucker born every minute' !!
a fool and her money .....
If the money spent by political candidates on pre-convention campaigning were used to boost the economy, our country could be spared a recession. Unfortunately, the politicians are more interested in promoting themselves than in making a better life for the voting public.
That's a lot of doughnuts!!!
saturday night live should have done a skit with hillary and penn going over the campaign finances in a vain attempt to figure out where all the money's gone, when they suddenly hear some hardcore munching going on in the next room.  they open the door and there's bubba knee deep in dunkin' donuts and pizza having the time of his life!  now that's funny...
Good for her....

Obama hit ONE MILLION donors as of debate night in Ohio. Not DOLLARS, DONORS. Wonder what his number will be for February?

Catch us if you can...
Cmon Texas and Ohio-- Wake up don't watch Msnbc and don't listen tio liberal radio like miller or shultz and Hillary has a chance.
wow <strong> MARYLOU </strong>...do you realize the Hillarydotcom  blogs delete and ban any users that blog against her?  Things may not be as bright as you think.  And, being a woman, I would not, even if she were the only choice on the ballot, vote for her...which might explain why she only got 55% of MI votes running against herself (that's right, Obama wasn't even on that ballot).  Let's not make this about race or gender, but for the best choice!
it will also be interesting to find out if this amount is the total they received in hand or if it also includes pledged dollars that they may never see, especially after super tuesday part iv.
I'm confused. Where did it all go? Reports (even from camp Clinton) say Obama is out spending them 2 to 1 in a few states.

Is this more mismanagement?
Money will not matter.  WOMEN FOR HILLARY will vote her into office.  We will put her on the ballot with or with out obscene amounts of money.  Women make less than men and work harder and smarter so we will be inventive and write Hillary on the ballot if necessary. Money and Media be dammed!
HP Boston (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:46 PM)

 spare me
Why on earth would anybody donate money to a candidate who won't let the public see their tax returns!!!
The press could report that Hillary woke up this morning or that she had didn't take a nap after lunch and her supporters would jump with joy from their stupor and start proclaiming they are on their way to victory. Relax folks, we're glad Hillary raised the money so she could get her 5 mil back but she has  lost this primary race. Go back to your stupors until we call upon you to suggest a running mate for Obama or to help beat McCain in the fall.
HILLARY CLINTON HAS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF NEW INTERNET SUPPORTERS WHO ARE DONATING DAILY THROUGH HER WEB SITE HILLARYCLINTONDOTCOM. THE BLOGS ARE FURIOUS WITH SUPPORTERS BEGGING TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO HELP HER WIN THE NOMINATION.  CAR LOADS OF SUPPORTERS ARE TRAVELING TO TEXAS AND OHIO AS I WRITE THIS. HAVE HILLARY'S SUPPORTER GIVEN UP?  NOT A CHANCE! BATTLING NOT ONLY OBAMA BUT THE BIASED MAIN STREAM MEDIA, WE WILL SUPPORT HILLARY UNTIL SHE IS NOMINATED AND THEN FIGHT LIKE HELL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.  STAND UP WOMEN, OUR GIRL HAS BEEN KICKED AROUND LONG ENOUGH!  VOTE HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT!
MARYLOU JONES (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:45 PM)

 spare me again
Paul, in Woodbridge: What's your source for what the "insiders" are saying?
How much of it was PAC money?
Good, now that's she is up, hope she can pay those poor people she scammed out of money. She fed her workers and can't pay her thousands of dollars for the food. Hillary, you are a scammer !
GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!  HILLARY WILL WIN CAUSE SHE HAS A VAGINA AND THATS ALL US GIRLS KNOW, THE BIG MEAN MEN CAN'T WIN CAUSE THEY ARE VAGINALESS AND MEAN
Oh my, you Obama supporters are so arrogant. Do you not think that Obama's campaign has not fed it's volunteers? It's a very common practice.  
I am a Hillary supporter and must say I am so proud of you. The poise and steadfastness in face of all thrown at you is one of the very reasons we feel you are the right choice.Your dedication to drive forward to solve the problems of so many and touch there lives to make them better is great.I am sure this drive will be rewarded by the many who see  that experience has piled up to make you the person YOU are.We in NY appreciate you kept your word to work for us and gain more experience when going to the US Senate. You didnt dump us in 04. Now Hillary God Bless you on your way to the top.Those side trips to help others along the way  when you could have been useing time campaigning will not go unnoticed either.
ep-ny (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:52 PM)


----------------
DITTO!
All I can say Hiliary is our Gal who can run our country.She may not have big crowds but the people are serious.Not love struck.I pray that she will win put A stop to all this boloney we need our country back in shape.I never had A problem with the Clintons in the white house A good loving Family so Go Hiliary get elected we love you.


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