Washington – Barack Oba ma and Hillary Rodham Clinton ended the first half of the year with more than $30 million each for the presidential primaries, a formidable financial performance for the two leading Democratic White House contenders.
Obama reported having about $34 million in primary cash on hand; Clinton reported $33 million.
Obama led in fundraising for the period covering April though June, raising nearly $32 million for the primary election and about $1 million for the general election, according to reports filed Sunday with the Federal Election Commission.
Clinton raised about $21.5 million for the primary and $5.6 million for the general election, her campaign said.
John Edwards, the Democrat closest to the two fundraising leaders, reported having $12 million in the bank for the primary.
The campaigns had until midnight Sunday to file full financial reports to the FEC.
Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut reported raising nearly $3.3 million, with nearly $6.4 million in the bank. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Saturday reported raising $7 million in the second quarter and having a similar amount in the bank.
Among Republicans, Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign spent more than it raised from April through June, leaving him financially strapped with $3.2 million in cash on hand and a $1.8 million debt, according to a report filed Sunday.
Ron Paul, the Texas congressman running a long-shot campaign, reported raising nearly $2.4 million from April through June and ended the quarter with a similar amount in the bank. The total is a remarkable showing for Paul, who raised much of the money online.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., raised $1.4 million, slightly more than his campaign brought in during the previous quarter. The candidate reported having $460,236 in the bank.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, raised $764,000 for his presidential campaign from April through June and had $437,000 in cash on hand at the end of last month.
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson raised $461,000 in the second quarter. The Republican reported nearly $122,000 in cash on hand but also listed debts and obligations of more than $127,000.
