Alright. I've watched MSNBC report on Clinton's admission that she loan her campaigned $5 million. I understand her campaign contributors are maxed out. Did they reach the $2300 primary limit? Or did they max out on the $4600 combined limit for both the primary and general elections?
Which one is it, and why isn't the media reporting the difference between the two?
If Clinton donors have contributed the $2300 primary maximum amount, then her cash flow is a minor embarrassment.
However, if Clinton has tapped into her monies reserved for the general election....this is bad news for Democrats running for office below the ticket. (From my understanding, she can legally use the general election contributions for the primary.)
Democrats must think long and hard about having a cash strapped Hillary Clinton on the top of the ticket, especially when she cannot defend herself AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY against Republican smears.
Obama needs to get out a message that he will serve as the Defender of the Democratic Party and their values during the General Election. Something Bill Clinton never did during his presidency. Infact, the Democrats were worse off during and after the Clinton presidency. For example, the Republicans took over the House and Senate during Bill Clinton's watch.
A cash poor candidate cannot mount a response to the Republican attack machine. Under this scenario, lower tiered Democratic candidates are more vunerable if the head of the party is in a weakened position.
For some reason, the media is missing the real story. The $5 million loan is more than an attempt to correct a momentary cash deficit. Democrats need a candiate capable of mounting an aggressive campaign. If someone knows the campaign finance laws, please post. Also Bob Dole ran out of money when he ran against Bill Clinton. We know how that election turned out for Dole.
If Hillary Clinton has maxed out at the $4600 level, she has to search for new donors or rely on 527s for advertising. Rumor has it that the Republicans have raised $250 million for Swift Boat advertising.
According to a Washington Post article, link Freedom 's Watch
And Freedom's Watch will have money -- a lot of money. While initial reports suggested a budget of $200 million, people who have talked to the group in recent weeks say the figure is closer to $250 million, more than double the amount spent by the largest independent liberal groups in the 2004 election cycle.
The Democrats will need money to fight the Republicans if Clinton is the nominee. The Republicans are salivating at the thought of fighting Clinton II. If Clinton is maxed out, it will make the Democrats job much harder in November.