Friday, February 08, 2008

Obama takes command in cash battle by raising $7m in two days

There's a definite feeling that the momentum in the battle for the Democratic nomination is shifting subtly towards Obama. Hot on yesterday's news that Hillary had to lend her own campaign $5 million, it's revealed that Obama has raised $7 million in just two days.

His fundraising ability deepened fears within the Clinton camp over primaries in Louisiana tomorrow and Virginia and Washington DC next week where Obama is perceived to have an advantage.

The Clinton camp sent out an email to its supporters, claiming to have raised $4m in the 24 hours immediately after Super Tuesday and upping its goal to raising $6m in 72 hours. But the upbeat emails were offset by Clinton's admission on Wednesday that she was forced to lend $5m to fund her campaign.

A leading fundraiser for the Clinton campaign admitted: "She is not going to catch up. He is out-raising her. If he has increased money to that extent it can really make a difference in terms of ground troops and the media."

And, he's refusing to allow her to call the shots:

The announcement came as both Hillary Clinton and Obama's camp tried to demonstrate new momentum. Clinton's team tried to exert pressure on Obama, challenging him to weekly debates. Obama refused.

Last month Obama raised $32 million and Clinton raised $13 million. Now, I know that cash raised isn't delegates - and it's delegates that's going to win one of them the nomination - but, nevertheless, one can't help feeling that there's a subtle shift taking place here, and it's a shift that favours Barack Obama.

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