The RNC's late date gives Bush the
obvious advantage:
Kerry spent $10 million last month, starting September with $62 million just as Bush was about to get his $75 million from the Federal Election Commission. Kerry's August spending compares with $36 million in July when he could still use private contributions to cover campaign costs.
The DNC started this month with $56 million in the bank after spending roughly $55 million in August, much of it on TV and radio ads supporting Kerry and opposing Bush.
The Republican National Committee spent about $20 million in August, starting September with nearly $94 million on hand. The party nominated Bush on Sept. 2, putting an end to his private campaign fund raising just over a month after Kerry's nomination put an end to his.
What's really surprising is how well Democrats kept up with the Republicans, despite a late-start to the fundraising thanks to our contested primary.
Bush spent nearly $224 million from the official start of his re-election effort in May 2003 through last month, according to a monthly campaign finance report he filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission [...]
Bush finished the primary campaign with nearly $37 million on hand and only about $21,000 in bills to pay. He cannot spend the leftover money on his own campaign, but can give it to the GOP and other candidates.
Kerry raised $233 million and spent at least $185 million from the start of his campaign in January 2003 through July, when private fund-raising ended for his campaign.
The DNC raised about $202 million from January 2003 through last month and spent about $147 million, while the RNC raised at least $271 million and spent roughly $182 million, campaign finance reports the parties filed Monday show.
It could've been a lot worse.