Show Her the Money
Following her PA victory, Sen. Clinton appealed to supporters for donations.
April 23, 2008— -- As campaign staffers, reporters, and cable news fans recover from their Pennsylvania Primary hangover today (because Yuenglings and shots of Crown Royal do not mix well together), there is no rest for the weary as the political universe quickly shifts to Indiana and North Carolina.
Both states boast of strong basketball traditions and both are about to enjoy 13 days of non-stop campaign action as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama battle for the 72 delegates in Indiana and 115 delegates in North Carolina.
Clinton is sporting the post-victory glow and is doing her best Kelly Slater, riding the wave of her 10 point victory in Pennsylvania to a boffo 24 hours of fundraising and an additional superdelegate.
In her victory speech in Philadelphia last night, Clinton did not play coy in her plea for donations.
"We can only keep winning if we can keep competing with an opponent who outspends us so massively. So, I hope you'll go to HillaryClinton.com and show your support tonight because the future of this campaign is in your hands."
Looks like the sales pitch worked.
ABC News' Kate Snow reports that Clinton campaign officials said today that they have raised $10 million online since the announcement of her Pennsylvania victory on Tuesday night and have brought around 50,000 new donors on board.
This is the campaign's best fundraising day yet and helps to back up their claims that the "tide is turning" after Tuesday's win and that her support remains strong.
On the campaign's largest conference call of fundraisers ever, Clinton asked the 3,100 supporters listening in to pony up and "max out" their donations if they have not already done so, Snow reports.
"We have to raise a lot of money," Clinton said. "I can't do this without your help…I know you understand this, but boy is it a tremendous hill to climb."
Blue Dog Democrat John Tanner of Tennessee has announced his endorsement of Clinton, which balances Obama's endorsement this morning from Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry. Based on ABC News' delegate estimate, Clinton has dug herself out of her post-Feb. 5 superdelegate hole. Tanner's endorsement is her 12th since Super Tuesday, which negates the 12 superdelegates she lost in that same time period. Obama has 81 superdelegates since Feb. 5
Money and superdelegates are the two keys for Clinton going forward in this race – she needs money to compete in the critical states of North Carolina and Indiana and she needs superdelegates to start swinging her way, or at least hold off from endorsing Obama until all the states have voted on June 3.
Clinton started April at a huge cash disadvantage ($9 million in cash on hand compared to $42 million for Obama) and that resulted in her being greatly outspent in Pennsylvania. In spite of that, she was able to pull out the win, but she also started the six week marathon to April 22 ahead by double digits in almost every poll. Clinton does not enjoy similar margins in Indiana and/or North Carolina so money will become a bigger factor if she wants to stay close with Obama in advertising and the ground game.
Sen. Clinton takes Pennsylvania but now the pressure mounts towards Indiana. LINK
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George Stephanopoulos discusses Tuesday's results. LINK
Up Close With Sen. Clinton
A chat with the Democratic candidate after her victory in Pennsylvania. LINK
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A look at the Illinois senator and his campaign's next move. LINK
Victory
Sen. Hillary Clinton wins the Pennsylvania primary. LINK
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Talk Back on the Candidates
Thaine S. & David explain which candidate they endorse. LINK
Democratic Candidate Vote
Michael C. & Michelle discuss why they voted for their choice. LINK
Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Ave.?
Sen. Hillary Clinton accepts victory in the Keystone State and vows to wage on. LINK
