Fierce Spending in Early Stages Saps Campaigns
Check out Romney's situation. Looking good.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/us/po ... nted=print
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January 20, 2008
Fierce Spending in Early Stages Saps Campaigns
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
WASHINGTON β The 2008 presidential race long ago shattered all fund-raising records. But lately even the best-financed campaigns are feeling short on cash.
The leading presidential candidates raised and spent tens of millions of dollars on the same ultimately unsuccessful goal: to knock out their opponents with decisive victories in the early nominating contests of Iowa, New Hampshire and, for the Republicans, Michigan.
Together, the top six candidates across both parties are projected to have brought in a total of more than $400 million and burned through at least 80 percent of it.
Now, the top three Democrats and the five or so Republicans all find their bank accounts depleted just as the most expensive phase of the race is about to begin. The candidates are entering a far-flung battle, with more than 20 other states voting in the three weeks that follow regional skirmishes on Saturday in South Carolina and Nevada. Strategists acknowledge they will have to make tough choices, especially since both parties face the prospect of prolonged nomination fights that could extend into the spring β or beyond.
βIt is almost like the elections that have been held so far have reset the clock and we are starting the game all over, except that the money has largely been spent and there is no time to replace it,β
