Finally, some good new$ for the Clinton campaign, but then...

Some good news for and from the embattled Clinton campaign. At least for a little while.

Sen. Hillary Clinton raised more than $35 million so far in February, including $34.5 million specifically earmarked for the primary, her campaign aides announced today.

Speaking to donors in a conference call a short time ago with The Times' Dan Morain listening in, Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said Clinton had by far the best fund-raising month of her 13-month campaign.

An aide to Sen. Barack Obama, who's been a money-raising machine this year, did not specify at first exactly how much Obama raised in February, but claimed the Illinois senator out-raised Clinton anyway. Obama raised $36.7 million in January.

McAuliffe said Clinton has amassed a total of $167 million since the campaign began, including $145 million specifically for the primary, plus another $5 million she loaned herself.

McAuliffe said Clinton would have enough to compete in the Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont next week and in primaries to follow. McAuliffe added that....

the campaign's internet fund-raising has exploded since the New York senator announced last month that she'd loaned herself $5 million.

“Nothing short of astounding,” said Peter Daou, who oversees Clinton’s Internet fund-raising. Daou said Clinton received donations from 300,000 people just in February alone, and that $30 million come in over the Internet.

With that lesson in mind, The Ticket is delighted to announce that we too have loaned ourselves several million dollars.

(UPDATE: But wait! There's more. In order to rain on the Clinton parade, Obama officials quickly had this to tell Morain: Clinton’s fund-raising success is relative. Obama raised "considerably more" than she has in February, according to Bill Burton, a spokesman.

The freshman Illinois senator is also heavily outspending her on television in the key states of Ohio and Texas, said Evan Tracey of TNS/Media Intelligence, which tracks political advertising.

On Monday, Obama aired 1,300 advertising spots in Texas to Clinton’s 800. Making matters worse, major unions backing Obama are spending heavily in independent expenditures on Obama's behalf. Other similar independent groups have failed to come to Clinton’s aid in recent days.

"It’s like giving golf balls to Tiger Woods," Tracey added in an interview. "The rich get richer.”

In Ohio, Obama had spent $2.4 million on television to Clinton’s $1.3 million through Feb. 26. In Texas, Obama had spent $5 million to Clinton’s $3.2 million. Both candidates are airing spots during newscasts and morning shows.

But with his fund-raising edge, Obama is able to buy higher-priced commercial time on more heavily-viewed shows like "American Idol" and others, Tracey noted.)

Boy, don't you wish you were in Texas so you could watch Obama's 1,300 ads each day and wash them down with 800 exposures to Clinton? And don't forget, we've loaned ourselves countless millions.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Eileen]

I think Ron paul is a great choice for president. He has my support.

[emmeline]

Sen. Obama is a great candidate. Although he ran on the same platform as Bush (change, being a uniter), he's more charismatic and has great ideals.

It's fine not to take a stance because there are alot of grey areas in life. It's fine not to make promises you might not be able to keep...

But the idea of change should and do motivate people. Who cares if there's no plan forward...this country is moving towards change...that's what matters.

[Cassie]

Change was the platform George W. Bush ran on. He's a uniter, not a divider. How is Sen. Obama different?
Because he's charismatic and he has ideas that transcend race, gender, and religion. Even if his policies mirror Senator Clinton's, he's a much more likeable guy and any educated person knows that you shouldn't make promises you can't keep. That why he doesn't mention how he's going to carry out the promise of change. Why can't people understand that? Isn't the idea of change more important than how to carry it out!
OBAMA 08

[A Wacko who supports Ron Paul]

Money is no predictor of success. Look at what happened with Romney.

And Ron Paul IS a great choice. Too bad so many think he and his supporters are wackos for believing in some words written down by a bunch of white guys in tights a few hundred years ago.

Maybe after the next 4 (or 8) years, this nation will be ready for Ron Paul's message.

I won't hold my breath.

[arthurW from Virginia]

How much of this $35M is from people who have already given the max for the primary (ie, its easy to raise money when it will in all likelihood be returned in a few weeks), how many first time donors for her entire campaign, and why can't she be so quick to report her tax info like Edwards and Obama have already done?

[Sarah]

Cassie:

I like Hillary a lot more than Obama. How's that for likable? So tired on Obama's supporters going around assuming that he's the 'likable" one, like it's a matter of fact. Just not true. He strikes me as narcisistic. She strikes me as dynamic. Hillary is the likable one.

Hillary08

[ChristineS]

What about Obama's ties to Farrakan, The Trinity Church and Pastor Wright, and the Slum Lord, Tony Rezko? There are too many questions about Obama!
Rezko goes to trial next week! Obama defended him and took Rezko's money! What else is there about Obama that we don't know????

[Tiffany]

Obama is a charismatic candidate, but would he be a good president? He won't have everybody falling all over themselves to get to him whem gas prices hit over $5 a gallon or when he has to officially admit that we are in a recession once he's in office. I predict that there will be a HUGE backlash against Obama either once he becomes the Democratic nominee or is elected President. Clinton would be able to handle those issues much more effectively. It's too bad the Times and every other media outlet that I can think of sees Obama as the second coming of MLK Jr.; they're incapable of reporting the facts without putting their own spin on it (e.g., Hillary has raised $35 million but Obama has raised "significantly more"... how much more?!?). I guess the days of straightforward journalism are forever gone.

[MMiller]

ChristineS-Don't forget his 700,000 dollar buy of 35 super delegates. Don't forget him not wanting to help the Jenna6 so he wouldn't be perceived as a 'black' candidate. Don't forget Michele's thesis available for all to read on POLITICO.com. She really has an issue with other races.
There is so much more to list..his 'present' votes..his mistake by pushing the wrong handle votes..he is a piece of work.
He was right in the debate about being a 'liberal' he missed all the important votes in the Senate, too. Thats why he objects to the label..he showed up for very few votes in comparison to other Senators....nothing to average so he reeks of laziness. A piece of work made by his 'white' top tier campaign advisors. There are no minority people in the higher levels of his campaign. I wish I had David Axelrod writing speeches for me, Obama and 'DeVille' Patrick. (Oh did I misspeak? Silly politics) My 'folks' understand that in Deval Patricks first week in office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of 'Machachutsets', (where Obama schooled at Harvard)...Deval bought a CADILLAC as his first official act. Unbelievable. Once David Axelrod is gone and the campaign is over Obama will be exactly what he was before, according to his colleagues in Illinois..a lazy legislator.

[PulSamsara]

Wow, that's big money ...except Barack raised about 20 million more in the same period. 1 million donors strong and counting.

[Bill]

For a review of Obama’s political career, a must read and if true is very concerning;
http://news.houstonpress.com/2008-02-28/news/barack-obama-screamed-at-me/

If you think past the glitter, the charm, the cult-movement of Obama and really look at specific ideas, specific plans and a proven track record and a person who can tackle McCain’s knowledge of foreign policy I think you will see who the best candidate is.

[theproblemwithcaring]

The name in the URL says it all: barack-obama-screamed-at-me.

Clearly that journalist just needs a hug.

We all know that Hillary never has and never will creamed at anyone.

[JKan]

Once David Axelrod is gone and the campaign is over Obama will be exactly what he was before, according to his colleagues in Illinois..a lazy legislator.

Bush = Obama = Likable