Hillary Clinton reports more campaign debt, so does Mitt Romney

OK, she doesn't really matter anymore in this throwaway society. But we've got some news on Hillary Clinton's political money matters.

First, although she's no longer running, her campaign debt has grown LARGER.

According to finance numbers submitted by her campaign to the Federal Election Commission late last night, at the end of May the New York senator had a total debt of $22.5 million.

That includes $12.175 million she loaned to herself, according to The Times' Dan Morain.

Altogether, Clinton spent $207 million on her losing 17-month effort. She raised $219 million, including the $10 million she had left over from her 2006 U.S. Senate race.

On Thursday she'll meet in Washington's Mayflower Hotel jointly with Sen. Barack Obama and some of her top donors and attempt to encourage them to start bundling general election campaign donations for her onetime foe, now that he's rescinded his pledge to accept public money.

The next day the two say they will campaign jointly somewhere.

In other political finance news that makes yesterday's welcome paycheck seem suddenly insignificant, Republican Mitt Romney reported giving himself yet another loan -- $2.3 million on May 15, pushing his total personal loans to his unsuccessful Republican campaign to $44.6 million.

Much more of that and we'd be talking serious money.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Gary Reginald Dodge]

"He who laughes last, laughs best."

Gary

[N.E. Bodybuthillary]

Hillary stayed in the race 22 million dollars too long. By refusing to admit the truth of her situation she acrued her outrageous debt. Nothing positive was accomplished by her refusing to bow out.

[Glynis McCants]

GOD BLESS HILLARY CLINTON FOR WORKING SO HARD TO WIN THIS RACE. SHE HAS THE EXPERENCE, AND OBAMA DOES NOT. AS A RESULT, MCCAIN WILL BECOME THE 44TH PRESIDENT.

Oh, and for all the jerks that try to belittle Hillary Clinton and her efforts, keep in imnd that she also won the popular vote. She won 6 out of the last 9 primaries ( 3 were major landslides)

If the Superdelegates had stepped up and done their job, Hillary Clinton would be the nominee, and then Obama would have to go back home to Reverend Wright, Father Pfleger, Willaim Ayers and Rezko.I am quite sure he will pay dearly for throwing them all under the bus.

[Drew Crecente]

Yes. You could give donations to Senator Clinton... or you could donate to a 501(c)(3) like the one that I founded after my daughter was murdered two years ago. Jennifer Ann's Group is dedicated to the prevention of Teen Dating Violence and we receive zero public funding.

We're in desperate need of funding in order to keep educating teens, parents, educators and legislators about this very real tragedy. I guarantee you that a dollar donated to us will go much, much further than it would if you were to donate that same dollar to Senator Clinton. We've already helped educate over 171,000 teens across the US and are just getting started.

However, if you're not inclined to donate to us at least please visit our site and share the Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship with the teens in your life. My daughter is gone forever but I refuse to allow this to happen to your child or grandchild!

Drew Crecente
Director, Jennifer Ann's Group
www.JenniferAnn.org

STOP Teen Dating Violence!

[P.A.O]

Clinton's campaign was over when she ran out of money back in Feb 2008. She and her big money backers played with their own voters by using 'general election' contributions to hide low 'primary election' donations.

If Clinton voters had known in Jan that 'primary election' money was low, I am sure money would have been donated. Yet, the campaign decided to misrepresent their numbers. That is why Clinton is in debt. Rather then drop out of the race, she took a risk that failed to play through..

So, now we are expected to pay Clinton for three months of denial (Mar, Apr and May).

I suggest we make a trade, tell Hillary's 'general election' donors to move that money to Obama's 'general election' fund and I will donate to Clinton's 'primary election' fund.

A gift for a gift.

Or, try this. Before you can be considered a leader, you have to first be able to take the punishment for your own stupid mistakes.

Clinton fans trust me, some of that (100M+) money they made since leaving the White House was back door donations for the 'primary election'. It was meant to be lost and optionally paid back.

[justme2727]

Glynis, Hillary did not win the popular vote. Even if you include Michigan and Florida, Obama was about 60,000 votes ahead including caucuses in the final total.
(See: http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/clinton-obama-popular-vote.html)

Your statement that she won the popular vote, however, tragically proves the effect of the extended battle. Leftover misinformation is a direct legacy of that campaign, and the Republicans love this (see McCain's gleeful "outreach" to Clinton supporters).

Since you've cited the popular vote as important (and I agree it is), I hope after you've had a chance to look over the numbers you will remain true to your values and support the person who won the popular vote: Barack Obama.

[Janet]

Hillary won the popular vote! Check out your facts. There will be no caucus in the general election. So what if she loaned herself money- no big deal and she doesn't need Obama to pay down the $10million. The other $12 she and Bill will make it up. McCain in 08- Clinton in 2012.

We do not need the flip flopper Obama who doesn't want to drill for oil, doesn't want nuclear energy, doesn't want to cut gas taxes. What does he want? A socialist society that pays for health care for everyone except those who pay for it. All tax payers you are out. He wants a criminal justice system for those who bomb America. He wants to talk to terrorist and down play the head of state role of this country. He wants this country to go backwards and not forward. He wants you in a horse and buggy.

[Joe Notorantoni]

All these Hillary supporters who are now vowing to vote for McCain are just reinforcing the stereotype that women are more emotional than rational. Obama and Hillary are close on the issues, so why huff and swoon because the democratic party is backing Tweedledee instead of Tweedledum? Stop being sore losers and try what Obama says, and "get over it" You know what really makes me laugh? It's that Hillary lost to a black man instead of a white, so her discrimination/sexism claims just sound like whining. Boohoo! So what if she has more experience, most of it is as being "part of the problem." And most "liberal" women seem to just shrug or smirk when a man loses a job to someone less experienced, because they see it as "affirmative" action. So now they're learning, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

[Katherine Osuna]

Hillary did win the election if you count popular vote like the republican's do. Therefore, Obama needs to seriously consider her as a nominee for the VP race. It would match his inspiration with her experience and dedication to key initiatives. If he doesn't, I am confident McCain will be in the White House. 18 million people were COMMITTED to Hilary and they will not lightly turn to Obama unless the voters see some consolation in the form of a VP offer for Hilary. If he decides that he can go this alone, I seriously question his judgement and arrogance. For me, as a democrat, it is a wait and see what happens. If Obama offers Hilary the Vice Presidential slot (which she completely deserves if we truly are a country for the people, by the people and there were 18 million people who wanted and voted for Hilary Clinton; then I will back him 100 %; if not, I will vote Republican.

[Katherine Osuna]

Jon,

Your comment that women are emotional is so very sexist. I do not trust Obama without the experience of Hilary. I have serious concerns on some of his philosophies and would be much more comfortable with someone at his side that has EXCELLENT experience. You are lucky there are sexists like you out there. Otherwise, Hilary would have won. Careful, your ignorance is showing.

[Joe Notorantoni]

Sorry Katie, but your ignorance is somewhat laughable because you are stll backing a horse that already lost the race. And a vote for McCain will make you twice the loser - Nader supporters already made that type of mistake by spoilng Gore's campaign and we are paying for it still. So what experience does Hillary have anyway, except for her inability to pass healthcare reforms? I know she set a great example for women everywhere by staying married to a lying philanderer (btw, that was sarcasm). The republicans have enough dirt on her to bury any ticket she gets on, and your vote for McCain is just a vote for more war.