First Quarter 2008 Fundraising Deadline Tonight!



The first salvo of the 2008 Presidential election is the first quarter fundraising totals, as any politics geek will tell you over milk duds and Ovaltine (tm). Those financials will determine the second round, namely, Who is actually a "Top Tier Candidate", and, less honorably, Who is Second Tier B-Lister, and, finally, when will that amiable dunce Chris Dodd and Joe "Chloroform" Biden just give it up and pack their bags and call it a Dark Night of the Political Soul.

Mitt Romney, curiously, is lowering expectations. While Senator McCain appears confident (a front?)-- although not earlier. Hillary, clever by a half, has her $11 million warchest left over from her sweet, sweet Senate cakewalk that she can convert into 1Q fundage. From TheHill:

"With the first-quarter fundraising deadline approaching Saturday at midnight, presidential candidates hope to have plenty to brag about after this weekend.

"Top-tier candidates intend to use their war chests to separate the contenders from the pretenders. While the deadline for filing first-quarter totals with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is April 15, some candidates might release their numbers next week to create a media buzz on their appeal to voters.

"Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) will be fundraising right up to the deadline. “America’s Mayor” attended a fundraiser in Utah on Friday and was due to appear at 2 p.m. in Florida on Saturday.

"Similarly, John Edwards (D) attended fundraising events Friday in Indianapolis and Youngstown, Ohio. He then swings through Miami, Charleston and Raleigh on Saturday for more fundraising before the midnight deadline.

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) planned to go to Boston for a fundraiser Friday night, and another in Florida on Saturday.

"Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) was to raise funds in Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday night and rest up Saturday for the Gridiron Dinner in Washington D.C. that evening.

"Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) appeared at two Florida fundraisers Friday — in Tallahassee and Jacksonville. The senator won’t raise money Saturday, however, choosing instead to campaign in Iowa at one of the parties his supporters are simultaneously throwing around the country.

"Unlike the other top-tier candidates, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will not be raising money this weekend. Taking advantage of the Senate’s recess to visit Iraq, he left the country Friday."

The full story (TheHill)