Hillary urges Dean to raise campaign funds

[Herman Munster]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-ushill0929,0,991382.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton took a backhanded swipe at Democratic National Committee boss Howard Dean Thursday, saying Dean's long-term party-building efforts should take a back seat to fundraising for the midterm elections.

"The Republican National Committee is pouring tens of millions of dollars into races and we're not matching that," Clinton said during a DNC fundraiser in Washington. "We're doing investments, you know, in ground and other efforts which will be very beneficial, but the RNC has about $60 million to $70 million waiting to drop on our candidates," she added.

To boost Democratic coffers, Bill and Hillary Clinton will host a million-dollar fundraiser for party committees on Oct. 4 at their Washington mansion, Whitehaven. The senator also plans events in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, and will host an event for Virginia senatorial hopeful Jim Webb, who has been gaining ground against stumbling incumbent Republican George Allen.

Many Democrats, including Clinton advisers, are frustrated with Dean's "50-state strategy," which accentuates grassroots organizing at the expense of election-specific cash-grabbing. The Democrats' Senate and House fundraising committees, led by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Rahm Emmanuel (D-Ill.), have had banner years, while Dean's DNC has lagged with about $11 million on hand compared to the RNC's $39 million in the bank.

[Rose Siding]

1. Good idea! He can ask her for, oh, say half of her $22 million war chest.

Easy money ;)

Did that reporter forget to mention that regardless of the R's money, Dean's breaking dem fundraising records?

[LSK]

2. do they not realize that DNC money is needed for local races

Like ohh say Secretary of States??? State Houses that determine election rules in states???

Dont underestimate the importance of local offices.

Lets not forget the Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwells of the world.

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Maybe more $$$ would be coming in

if certain self-appointed party "leaders" weren't such consistently uninspiring sell-outs and disappointments.

[madfloridian]

4. Job description of the DNC

"The Democratic National Committee plans the Party's quadrennial presidential nominating convention; promotes the election of Party candidates with both technical and financial support; and works with national, state, and local party organizations, elected officials, candidates, and constituencies to respond to the needs and views of the Democratic electorate and the nation."

The DNC is responsible for winning back the state legislatures as well as the national races and the presidential race. The others don't have that complicated a job description.

http://www.democrats.org/a/party/aboutDNC.html