It is almost hard to imagine, but Hillary is pushing her supporters to donate even more money to her campaign. After raising more than $100 million dollars, she has a "paltry" $15-25 million remaining, seemingly blowing it all in Iowa. Of course, she isn't the first candidate to do this in the Hawkeye state and probably will not be the last. And like those other candidates (e.g. Dean) who also happened to lose in Iowa, the lack of momentum hurts even more when you consider that upcoming primary states that have big media markets are going to cost major bucks to run advertising. Basically, it isn't looking good for Mrs. Clinton.
From Time:
With momentum against her and a battle plan that appears to be staking everything on the big and expensive states like New York and California that hold their primaries on February 5, Clinton's campaign is putting new pressure on its fundraisers to come up with the cash she will need to carry her through. "Clearly, by every measure, I hear they are in a real financial crunch," says one prominent fundraiser. "Here's the dilemma: You have a situation where there clearly is a full court press to raise more money, but considering the state of decline of the campaign, there's a real question of whether people are going to want to give. It's more than just raising money; you've got to give people a sense of potential."[...]
Clinton fundraisers say there is also a new emphasis in the appeals they are getting from the campaign. Where they previously focused on bringing in $4,600 donations — pressing donors to "max out" by giving the legal limit of $2,300 for the primary election and $2,300 for the general — they are now being asked to drum up $2,300 contributions. "They started out running a general election campaign," says one. "Now there's a real fixation on the primary." The day after the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses, the campaign staged a "callathon" to encourage smaller contributions.
Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson notes that fundraising has always been a high priority for her operation, which he says continues on sound financial footing. "We have considerable resources," he says, adding that the campaign is flush enough to be buying large amounts of air time for television ads in New Hampshire, as well as in South Carolina and Nevada, where the next two contests will be held.
Now I understand the need to keep the war chest flush with cash, but why cut holes in the bottom of it when it isn't necessary? South Carolina is all but a foregone conclusion and although she does have a shot in Nevada, why waste that money on all that airtime. Lavish spending on commericials may work for campaigns that are flying high and mighty, but this is a time for her to buckle down and concentrate on winning some primaries. Let go of the "inevitability" persona Hillary.
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