Opinion: Hey pal, can you spare a dime (or maybe $1,000)?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The money chase predominates on the campaign trail the next few days, with Saturday marking the end of the second quarter fundraising period. Some candidates will let us know pretty quickly how much they accumulated; others will wait until their reports to the Federal Election Commission are due in mid-July. Here’s a taste of the scramble for cash by the major contenders:

Republicans

Rudy Giuliani is in Pittsburgh today, then swings through Sacramento Thursday and Orange County --- one of his favorite ATMS --- on Friday.

John McCain is in the New York City-area today; in D.C. Thursday then Chicago and the Phoenix area Friday, with another Phoenix-area fundraiser Saturday.

Mitt Romney is in New York City today; Hartford, Conn., McLean, Va., and Pittsburgh on Thursday, then D.C. on Friday.

Democrats

Barack Obama celebrates the opening of his Minneapolis headquarters Friday with a fundraiser, and may have another fundraiser Saturday in Chicago.

Hillary Clinton beats the bushes fo rmoney in D.C. today, in Jacksonville., Fla., on Friday and in Miami Saturday.

John Edwards goes for Texas gold (cash, that is) in Houston on Wednesday; Tampa on Friday and Orlando on Saturday.

The Democrats will put their palms back in their pockets for at least a few moments. They gather in Washington Thursday night for a debate at Howard University moderated by talk-show host Tavis Smiley and in Orlando on Saturday for a forum before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

--Scott Martelle