Washington – Republican John McCain and Democrat John Edwards are in danger of losing their place among the leading presidential contenders if their spring fundraising falls too short of earlier totals.
Next weekend marks the end of the latest fundraising period, covering April through June, and the new finance reports will set a benchmark by which to measure the campaigns. Candidates in the crowded field raised a combined $133.5 million in the first three months of the year.
The latest numbers could further cement Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., as the masters of political money. In the January-March period, they combined to raise more than $50 million; both are believed on track to match or exceed their first-quarter total.
For Republicans, Mitt Romney and Rudolph Giuliani are at the top of the money race. But the picture is blurred by the potential entry of Fred Thompson, the actor and former senator from Tennessee.
A look ahead at the latest fundraising efforts:
McCain’s stance in support of President Bush’s immigration policies has hurt him. But the Arizona senator has packed his schedule with an average of more than one fundraiser a day this month.
Edwards’ campaign says he will fall $5 million short of his $14 million first-quarter total. The former North Carolina senator has sent an appeal to donors that sets a $9 million goal.
Clinton’s campaign promises to match her $26 million haul from the first quarter.
Obama, who raised $25.7 million from January through March, could surpass that total, though aides say they have no chance of beating Clinton. Obama amassed a stunning list of 104,000 donors in the first three months and since has expanded that base.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, led all Republicans with $20 million last quarter. He might fall short of that tally as the campaign tries to expand its list of 30,000 donors from the first quarter.
Giuliani, who raised $16.1 million last quarter, is expected to be in the same range this time.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who raised $6.2 million last quarter, could surpass that total and draw within striking distance of Edwards. That would vault Richardson’s standing in the contest at Edwards’ expense.
