Soon Kerry might have more cash in hand than Bush

[ps1074]

Okay, it is a wishful thinking but consider this.

As per opensecrets.org at the end of February Bush had $108 million cash in hand. Since then he had another 8 to 10 million raised. This make $120 million.

According to todays Washington Post, Bush have spent an unprecedented $42 million for ad buys in March alone. Can you believe it? $42 million spent in one freaking month...

This leave him with $75 to 80 million in hand and there were reports this week that his campaign says they're almost done with fund raising.

Kerry started the month with $2.5 million in hand. Since then he had raised substantial amount of money. Reports vary - from $25 million to $30 million raised in March alone. He had spent $5 million on ad buys in March, which leaves him with at least $25 million cash in hand.

Bush - $75 - $80 million
Kerry - $25 - $27 million

If April is anything like March, Kerry will be able raise another $20 to $25 million. Bush fund raising is almost over and he is spending like a drunken sailor. With the Clarke testimony and polls showing more people starting to question Bush's 'leadership in time of crisis', the Bush campaign will need another massive buy in April.

Is it heresy to think that at the end of April, Kerry will have more cash in hand then Bush? Or at least there will be parity?

Discuss this please...

[pa28]

1. Interesting

If Bush manages his campaign warchest like the U.S. budget or any one of several businesses he's run into the ground the playing field may become more level shortly. These massive ad buys were made at *'s request and are not the result of strategizing by his betters. Not to pour salt on Dean's wounds but it is seen as a mistake that he made big ad buys in places like Washington during the month of August. Similarly, when November rolls around any ads bought now will seem like a distant memory.

[jamesinca]

2. Very plausible

I think it would be nice to see the fecalith trailing in the polls and in the cash on hand category. That would put the work back on the people to take out the voting machine factor.

[Melodybe]

3. I don't think that Kerry will have a problem raising money

My hubby and I are sending money soon and my grandparents, who before had sent money to both Dean and Clark, have already given 2 grand each. It is so important for us to give what we can. Our time is the most valuable thing we can give. At the moment, I am doing voter registration drives and a rock the vote concert in my town.

I can not stress enough how important it is for all of us to get off the computer more and get out there so we can talk some sense into people.

People are more likely to believe what someone tells them face to face as opposed to what is on television.

With us sending money to our local democratic candidates, Kerry, moveon.com, democracy for America we will muster enough clout to send this admin out on their asses.

Congrats to Kerry for raising over six million in 2 days!

[ed_vadem]

5. good advice, find more loyalists and more contributors

because at an estimated $25 per contributor we will need several times the number of contributors that Bush has in order to reach fund raising parity.

On the other hand if the Dem 527's survive the upcoming court challenge (an area where Bush is behind on)the $ race could get to be a lot closer

[patricia92243]

9. 6 in 2 - hadn't heard that- great news.

[Leilani]

4. I believe it is wishful thinking

Bush can go back to fundraising anytime he wants & raise more.

But I believe Kerry will also do a good fundraising job.

Dems will always be outspent, but if we can keep it competitive, we'll be OK.

Bush outspent Gore, & Gore still got more votes.

[mouse7]

7. No, Bush can't. Most of his donors have given max amount

I'm not saying Bush can't get more donations, but it's going to have to be from new donors. Bush's donors tend to just hand Bush a check for the max amount once. He's going to have to go out and hit up the small amount donors. To do that, he has to play to the base. No Karen Hughes "play nice" talk while you're raising money from the Christian Right. Bush over and over again feeding meat to the base is the quickest road for Kerry to establish a comfortable lead.

[Leilani]

20. Do you think raising money will be difficult

for this crowd? Sure, his donors have maxed out, but his Rangers, & whatever the hell the rest of the super givers are called, they will just bundle more money with new names.

Never assume this crowd will not find a way; we have seen their mode of operation.

[mouse7]

6. Bush spent $42 billion in March? Gawd!

No wonder we took a hit. I knew there were a bunch of Bush ads, but Gawd almighty, that's insane.

Bush has almost the same density of ads up right now. Bush is going to run out of money before he runs out of campaign.

If we can come out of that blizzard of ad buys still in the race, this race is Kerry's to lose.

[Lexingtonian]

8. Interesting

Pretty incredible burn rate, that. $50 million if not closer to $60 million in March alone. That smell in the air is rank desperation.

The fun part is that Kerry can count on the White House's ongoing Operation Footbullet to keep W's ceiling dropping to the 45% range and unelectable.

Hey, last guys don't finish nice.

[mot78]

10. Don't post this

You'll let * and Rove know about our counter-punch.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. It matters more HOW you spend your money than how much you can

accumulate and have in reserves.

It's feasible that * could expend half of his warchest and have seven months to carefully allocate the rest.

Slow and steady wins the race.

[bushwakker]

12. What a great story that would be

talk about mo-mentum. If that came to be true all the news would be about how AWOL squandered his big $$$ advantage. All I can say is give what you can.

[Skeptical Democrat]

13. What makes you think Bush fundraising is almost over?

[ps1074]

15. it comes from Bush campaign

It was all over the news last week - Bush have raised 170 million and will now concentrate on meeting voters and lying his ass off.

[Skeptical Democrat]

18. I didn't know that.

Well, that is good then.

I saw something here this week about 527's being a ripe source for fundraising against Bush. That they are going to be running a lot of ads against Bush between now the convention. The idea being Kerry won't have to spend a lot of his own money until after the convention.

Soros had given an ungodly amount of money so far, like a couple hundred mil to these other sources. I don't know quite how they work, but that they are soft money sources that make up for the huge advantage Bush has in fundraising.

I got a phone call or I'd say more ...

[JI7]

14. it is VERY unlikey Kerry will have nearly the money Bush has

but Kerry will be able to have the vp announcement which if planned right he could use to get a bounce in polls from with free media as happened with his primary wins. this is why i am saying he shouldn't announce his vp choice at this moment as some want him to. his problem isn't lack of people who are defending him, it's those tv ads bush runs against him.

[ps1074]

16. why do you think it is unlikely?

I am not saying Kerry will raise as much as Bush. What I am saying is at the end of April Kerry might have more cash in hand than Bush, if the chimp continues to spend like a drunken sailor.

[JI7]

17. "if"

"if" he continues to spend as he is doing now which wont be the case unless he can bring in more to help him along. i really do wish/hope you were right, but in reality, it's very unlikely.

[leyton]

19. Bush has a lot more than eighty million dollars.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/01/election.main/index.html - near the bottom, there's a figure. It's 170 million.