UPDATE: Clinton Campaign Has $20 Million Of Debt, LA Times Makes Correction

UPDATE 11:13 pm EST: The LA Times mistakenly reported Clinton's campaign was in $31 million of debt. Below is the correction and the real debt number of $20 million:

(*UPDATE: Due to a mathematical error, Hillary Clinton's loans to herself were added twice in the calculation of this item. Her total debts are about $20 million, not $31 million. A corrected item covering the first five paragraphs of this one has been published here.)

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EARLIER ITEM FROM THIS MORNING:
The LA Times is reporting that Hillary Clinton is nearly $31 million in debt. The news comes off a release from her campaign Tuesday night that she has raised $22 million:

No wonder Sen. Hillary Clinton was so late filing her required campaign financial reports Tuesday night. Her political team didn't want the shocking news in it to overshadow her lopsided thumping of Sen. Barack Obama in Kentucky.

Now comes the morning after, pay-up time. Clinton's campaign debt has now soared to nearly $31 million, according to numbers crunched early this morning by The Times' campaign finance guru, Dan Morain.

Comments

[windyindie41]

There's a big difference between "being a victim" to "playing a victim". Hillary plays a victim. She has played a victim since the beginning of this campaign, though It hadn't become an issue until she came in third in Iowa. After that, she threw out every excuse she could think of to try and cheapen Obama's hard and fairly earned victories, and those excuses often took the form of her crying over the format of the debate questions or how the media was mean to her. Not a week goes by where she or her surrogates haven't brought up an excuse that not only makes Hillary sound like a victim, but has also made her seem weak and sad.

The latest charges Hillary is making take on a new diminsion: the charge of sexism on all levels. This has been by far the biggest victim card Hillary has played, and also her most desparate. It's not that there haven't been sexists views or comments thrown at her; or course their have. The same thing has happened to Obama in regards to his race. The difference is that Obama ignores most of these charges, though he will stand up and defend himself when the accusations demand immediate action. Hillary, and her supporters like her husband and Geraldine Ferraro, have gone out of their way the last few days to taint this whole entire election by claiming sexism is the main reason she has lost.

[ENOUGH1]

I heard Garin, Hillary's Chief Strategist, say that Hillary is the only one who can fix the country's economic problem.

Hello!

Hillary's campaign is $20 million dollars in debt.

[SickoPoliticos]

Here is a novel idea...let Clinton's avid supporters - those who want her to stay in the race - pay off her debt and let her save something for her daughter's inheritance. Not from my donation to Barack to help defeat her!

[Simonanunhappydem]

Guess what, we are doing it. She raised $20M in April. You by the way have no say how Obama spends the money you donated. He has spent a big chunk of it to buy the votes of the super delegates ($900,000 or so at the last count I saw). He is truly a new type of corrupt politician, who just buys votes as all of them do in Chicago.

[windyindie41]

HA! That's both funny and sad for you to accuse Obama of buying votes. Besides the million dollars that Hillary supporter Saban offered as a bribe to many super delegates, their have been countless other millionaire Hillary supporters doing the same thing. It just hasn't caught on with the MSM yet, but I have a feeling that when the dust settles, sometime after Obama wins the election, their will be a flood of behind-the-scene articles that will show how truly desparate the Hillary campaign got after Iowa.

As far as Obama goes, why would he need to buy off super delegates, when he already has there vote. Heck, he had them months ago, but the SD's are rightfully waiting until the end of the primaries before they make their mass exodus to the Obama side. It's sad that you have no proof and just accuse Obama of buying votes out of spite. I hope that once Obama is offically deemed the nominee, you will open your heart and mind and come to see how much good Obama can bring to us all. I do understand how much you would perfer to see Hillary as the nominee instead, but in any election, there can only be one winner, no matter how close the race is. Based on both the rules of the election and the reality of the math, their is no way Hillary can win, even with FL and MI.

[MrKINOKO]

If I were barack Obama, I would sue the pants right off of your skinny rump for disrespecting me like that. You'd be in Civil Court defending a $100,000 defamation of character suit. Insinuating that someone like Obama needs to "buy votes" is like saying his next campaign stop is Moonbase 12....it's nonsensical. If HRC did in fact raise $20 mil in April, yet is still in arrears by $20 mil, why would anyone with even the barest scrap of logic want her in charge of anything dealing with finances...especially the national debt? This Clinton fanaticism is like some new kind of sickness, a political "Andromeda Strain", and I for one can't wait until the first wave of shrinks start writing books on it after Obama wins the GE....it should make for some really scary reading.

[independent32955]

LOOK...she's already cut the deficit in half...GREAT JOB Hil! You keep going!!

No wait wait, what the heck was I thinking...you should shut up and sit down now. Not because you're a woman, hell the only reason the party IS NOT telling you to shut up and sit down is because you're a woman and no one really wants this bit of history to end.

But it is going to end, Hil, when it was all said and done, America has simply had enough of the Clintons...take solace in the fact that we've had enough of the Bushes too!

[eladora]

I think it is he who if she gives much more grief at his expense should say he will run as an independent .. Let that be the message to both parties. The country has been starved for this --he , Bloomberg, Hagel, they could be a force. I dont know why the rules say he has to be gracious in all this while she and Pres Clinton slam him repeatedly.

[Keith52]

Wow. You are right. But even many Democrats simply vote the party. But that is a dream scenario, made for a great movie with a satisfying F.U. ending.... Hehehheheehe

[Gma11]

The title says it all. Fortunately, she is a very wealthy woman and has a significant contribution yet to make. I imagine she'll also have a new book out in the near future.

[borderorder]

Yeah, like "How I Lost A Primary to a Fellow Christian (I think)." ghost written, of course.

[Aleka4]

Hahahaha.

[Keith52]

Yeah, but in the book she will "remember" that she actually won the primary and was rolling in cash!!!

[woofblister]

Perhaps she can retire her campaign debt with a few well-timed investments in pork belly futures.

Or now that oil has cleared $131 a barrel today, if every one of her supporters used a Kentucky credit card to siphon and donate just one gallon of gas from the tanks of their neighboring Obama supporters, the whole pesky problem could be transmogrified into a surplus lickety-split.

[Simonanunhappydem]

No, she can perhaps accept some contribution from Mr. Rezko or some of his arab/middle eastern friends, as Obama does.

[KarateKid]

Whatever the correct number, I see a mismanaged campaign. Compare that with Obama, still attracting new donors, mostly small contributions, flush with cash and with a deep well to keep tapping.

And people still think Obama isn't a good chief executive? The only real way we know what kind of President we will have, quantitatively, is how a candidate manages his campaign.

We have gotten a good comparative glimpse on what kind of administration we would have with Obama and Clinton. A Presidency isn't about one person, it's about the ADMINISTRATION. Some of you blockheads just don't get it.

Obama passes my litmus test, Clinton flunks. And remember, she had the Democratic apparatus and a huge fundraising lead on Obama at the start of the campaign; people were talking about it as her ticket to the White House. Now, she has a ticket to the Out House. Clinton = Mismanagement, Inc.

Go ahead, call that sexist, all you female sexists.

[Aleka4]

Only a bufoon would call that sexist lol.

I totally agree. I thought this months ago,when she was only a few million in debt lol. And when she runs out of money and can't pay her bills, she just -charges more!-

What a fine example of "deadbeat" she sets! One needn't worry about how much debt one racks up for a bad gamble if one has no intention of paying it back!

[Keith52]

You are dead right on. Exactly. Precisely what I have been saying for months. Also, what is a president's job? To #1 motivate people, domestically and abroad to do the right thing. Yes, with "words" and motivating, brilliant speeches and diplomacy. #2 Make wise decisions regarding things like ...uh...WAR? Does that sound like anyone in particular that might be running for President?? HRC and McBush fail both requirements.

[Simonanunhappydem]

As a Clinton supporter I have to admit that I agree with the comment that her campaign was badly mismanaged by an incompetent campaign strategist, Mark Penn and a campaign manager Solis-Doyle who could not assert any authority over him (who by the way is trying to get on Obama's team after having been finally fired by Clinton, good luck with her!). The fact that she is as close to Obama in delegates as she is and got more votes that he did (yes I am counting Florida) shows that she is a much better candidate, who made some mistakes in managing her campaign. However as president your job is NOT to be in campaign mode while in the office. Among other things you are expected to achieve some of your promises and realizing some or most of your vision. And, this is where Clinton is head and shoulders above Obama. Clinton's comment about the crucial role or president Johnson in the civil rights legislation was correct, even if it was shamefully twisted into being a racist remark by the Obama camp. In order to achieve something and actually improve or change things it is not enough to give passionate and rousing speeches. You have to know how to get it done. And in this respect Clinton proved that she can get things done in the senate, while Obama did nothing as a senator, except campaigning for his next coveted job.

[Nardwilly]

Latest Reuters Poll

Obama, who was tied with McCain in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup last month, moved to a 48 percent to 40 percent lead over the Arizona senator in May as he took command of his grueling Democratic presidential duel with rival Hillary Clinton.

The poll also found Obama expanded his lead over Clinton in the Democratic race to 26 percentage points, doubling his advantage from mid-April as Democrats begin to coalesce around Obama and prepare for the general election battle with McCain.


http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2034087120080521

[PennP]

She WAS $20M in the hole, then her campaign claimed to have received $10M in the 24 hours before and after the PA primary, then she loaned her campaign $6.4M, and she's now $31 in the red. If the above is true, does that mean that she spent at least $25M between April 22 and today--or more, because she was taking in money from fundraisers and individual donors at the same time? Probably more like $30M spent?

I'm also wondering whether the $10M is accounted for in the figures, or whether there's any way to tell.

[PennP]

Ah, the above was NOT true, since the LA Times has revised its number, due to its math error, to $20 in the hole, not $31. At least $14M in one month sounds like it makes sense. Scary money.

[dollphingurl]

but i still don't believe the $10 million in 24 hours. donations under $200 are not required to be reported to the FEC individually. given that, we're talking several hundred thousand separate and unique donors -- in twenty-four hours....in the twilight of her campaign.

would it be sexist of me to say that a) Hillary SUCKS at math and b) Hillary's a liar?

or should i just pick one of the above?

[Bleeding Heart Liberal]

Sound like she only raised about 12 mill. after that 10 mill. overnight claim. Only 12 mill. in a month might have been something to talk about a few years back - but now, that is incredibly bad.

[sierrarisings1]

Did Obama get sups today?

[cinnysmom]

yep one from CT today.

[autma]

and an endorsement from the United Mine Workers of America. hopefully that will open the eyes of people in WV and KY. unfortunately, it probably won't open their minds.

[dollphingurl]

much as i enjoy the clinton-directed venom that brings me so much joy on HuffPo, turns out the LA Times reporter calculated Killary's own loans to her campaign TWICE....

here are links to his retraction and corrected items:
original article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/clintondebt.html
corrected item: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/corrected-item.html

so, her debt still stands at around $20 million - and is still sickening, hypocritical and utterly deplorable.

[gapanther]

How does someone that has had a quarter of a Billion dollars donated them, that ends up over 30+ Million in debt, say they are ready on day one to turn the economy around?

[reymaravilla]

Hillary's Last Real Option is Dangerous

What does Hillary want, you say? Why is she willing to drag this thing on?

I can't believe you guys and gals haven't yet figured it out.

Clinton will use her West Virginia victory and Kentucky to establish an Independent bid for the Presidency.

Yes, to the Democratic Party she will give the proverbial finger and go the way of Joe Liberman. After all, it worked out well for him, didn't it?

Hillary has an enthusiastic following, just waiting to be energized. And she knows it.

Once she declares Independence, she will gain financial backing from her neo-lobby-cons. And get this, even some Republican think tanks feel that this scenario would further divide the Democratic Party and benefit McCain in November. So they'll financially back her, in a very quiet way.

Even if her Independent bid is not successful, she can build on that as foundation for 2012.

Hillary will never be content to simply retain her Senate seat. And she knows that her politics have turned off many of her colleagues, so she has little chance of becoming Senate Majority Leader.

Her desire to win the Presidency in '08 or 2012 is only matched by her desire to keep Barak Obama from it.

So, her only option is the nuclear one. And she'll use it! But that's only if she can get the funding.

[theplaintrutho1]

Something to consider very serious!

[Aleka4]

What a pity her "enthusiastic following" don't contribute to her campaign!

[jah2008]

She really has to be stupid to even ponder that. So, let's for the sake of argument that Obama loses GE and Hillary's planning to do what you suggest. By 2012, there will be more young people who would have come of age to be able to vote for Obama. At the same time, Hillary would have lost many of her supporters due to old age. If this is one of her adviser's scheme and she's seriously considering this option, then she really has lost it.

[Simonanunhappydem]

She will probably not even consider that. BUT, I am wondering if all of you vehement Obama supporters would cry for Obama to consider an independent run is the super delagates elect Clinton as the democratic nominee, as they definitely should if they have the party's interest on their mind, first and foremost.

[BJMS]

Let me get a couple things straight...She is worth $109 MILLION, but she is accepting $422. donations from little boys who have to sell their bikes and video games to pay down her $31 MILLION debt...All the while claiming to be the working-class gal???

And she wants EVERY VOTE to count - in Michigan and Florida - but then she wants the superdelegats to overturn the results of those votes??? And we can't "disenfranchise" the voters of MI & FL, but she's perfectly willing to disenfranchise the voters in caucus states by suddenly basing her entire campaign on the popular vote which doesn't include many caucus states??? (After, of course, MONTHS of stating that this race "is all about delegates - it's the delegate count that matters")

The woman is DERANGED...I don't want her answering ANY phone at 3 am!!!

[MarionKIN]

Wow...it's like you've read my mind! I agree completely.

[Testtubebaby]

Yeah she is but she also has a whole lot of company.

[obamagal]

Brilliant!

I guess I'm not the only one 'shaking my head' in disbelief... Talk about disenfranchising.... how about all the states she lost? In her post-primary speeches in most cases she did not even acknowledge, let alone thank, HER supporters that worked tirelessly for her, leading up to these states. It's bad enough not to congratulate Barack, but to forget about her own supporters? That's pretty bad....

... and those caucus states that "don't count". They were not 100% for Obama... therefore if they don't "count" that means her voters don't count either, as far as she and her campaign are concerned. I don't know about you, but if I were one of those voters, I would be hurt, disallusioned, and more than a little angry... that is, if I employed some critical thinking, instead of just swallowing her campaign's 'line of the week'.

I feel badly for the supporters who have stuck with her to the bitter end. She knows full well how much passion and emotion is involved in their support. In my opinion they are being used, are a means to an end. She knows she can't win (at least not honestly - and what lesson is THAT teaching our children?), yet she comes out with one myth, on top of another, to prolong the race, because of her sense of entitlement. News Flash: It's the White House, not the Clinton House.

Where is the integrity?

[Simonanunhappydem]

Don't feel sorry for me, as a Clinton supporter, I do not need it. I help her because I believe in her and not for getting a thank you comment.
As far as integrity, integrity starts at not accepting huge chunks of money from criminals like Rezko and some of his friends.

[cinnysmom]

I have a question, how would Sen. Clinton make her case May 31st about FL and MI regarding her supposed popular vote win, and not even bring up the 4 or so states that had caucauses(sp)? She's always spouting off about not disenfranchising the voters of FL and MI but would do so to the states who held caucauses? It just doesn't make sense to me how she could justify that scenario.

[kat0033]

I so agree with your analysis. It angers me that the media (and voters) are allowing her to claim that she more of the popular vote but that is only counting the vote she received in Michigan without allocating the 237,762 votes that were cast as uncommitted. How can you claim that only voters in certain states should have their votes count only if they voted for her.

It also troubles me that we have someone who is running for the highest office in America that feels she is above any of the rules and can create her own to suit her. Don't we currently have a leader in the White House with the same philosophy?

[xargaw]

Actually, there are about 13 caucus states and Obama won all but Nevada. So Hillary is prepared to disenfranchise about 25% of the electorate in the U.S.

[TexasMom]

I feel like sending that poor kid a bike!! I can't believe this is a story (if true) that anyone would brag about and why wouldn't you take out the old MasterCard and buy the kid a bike since the Clinton's can afford it.