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Clinton takes lead in dash for cash

BY GLENN THRUSH | NEWSDAY WASHINGTON BUREAU

February 18, 2006

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is raising, spending and hoarding cash at a far faster pace than any other senator up for re-election this year - doubling fundraising runner-up Jim Talent (R-Mo.), according to a new report by a Washington watchdog.

Since 2001, the New York Democrat has owned the top of the charts in all three major campaign finance benchmarks: She's raked in the most cash - $33.2 million to Talent's $15.8 million; spent the most at $16.3 million and leads the pack with $17.1 million cash on hand, reports the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics.

Clinton's likely GOP foe in 2008, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer, has only recently broken the $1-million mark.

Next week, Clinton embarks on what has become a monthly out-of-state fundraising swing, attending events in Florida's Coconut Grove, Tampa and Captiva Island next Wednesday after a Tuesday fundraiser at Manhattan's Crobar nightclub.

Talent, a centrist Republican in battleground Missouri, has already shelled out $11.1 million in an effort to stave off Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill. Clinton, who has raised an estimated $50 million for other candidates in the past five years, had been considering a fundraiser for McCaskill, but her staff pooh-poohed the idea when approached by Newsday last month.

Clinton has also supported anti-abortion Pennsylvania Democrat and State Treasurer Bob Casey, who has raised more than any other non-incumbent in this year's cycle - nearly $6 million - hoping to unseat Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). Unfortunately for Casey, the conservative Santorum has raised $14 million.