Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Cabinet officials usually refrain from helping other candidates

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2008 2:26 PM CST

(Newser) – Democrats may lose a powerful fundraiser in Hillary Clinton when she becomes secretary of state, the Hill reports. Cabinet officials usually avoid overt campaigning for other candidates, and Clinton’s fundraising prowess and network are likely to be particularly missed: HillPAC, Clinton’s leadership political action committee, has directed more than $2.9 million to other Dems since 2002.

“If you were organizing an event with her, you know you can put a number next to her name,” said one Democratic strategist. “Until Obama, she was in a category all by herself.” Some Democrats think, if appointed, Caroline Kennedy could replace Clinton as a financial heavyweight: “The moment it becomes official, she becomes a superstar."

In this Dec. 1, 2008, file photo President-elect Barack Obama, left, stands with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., after announcing that she is his choice as Secretary of State during a news conference... (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

In this Dec. 1, 2008. file photo, New York Gov. David Paterson speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

(NEWSER) - Her rivals for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat believe Caroline Kennedy is “certain” to succeed her, sources close to several contenders tell the New York Post. Gov. David Paterson thinks dissing Kennedy at this point would “greatly embarrass” and “entirely humiliate” her and her family—and potentially displease President-elect Obama, a clan ally. More»

Hillary to Supporters: Lay Off Caroline

Clinton's not holding any primary grudges, and not taking sides

(NEWSER) - To those Clintonites bashing Caroline Kennedy—the Democratic scion who threw her weight behind Barack Obama in the hard-fought primaries—Hillary Clinton has a message: Pipe down, the New York Daily News reports. Clinton insiders say the soon-to-be secretary of State understands "She's got to be part of the team now. She needs to take her cue from the president-elect." More»

Will Bill Replace Hill in Senate?

New York governor to choose new senator

(NEWSER) - Bill Clinton is one of the possible choices to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate when she becomes secretary of state, CNN reports. Other top contenders include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Robert Kennedy Jr, or Caroline Kennedy. New York Gov. David Paterson, who will appoint Clinton’s replacement, has yet to indicate any favorites. More»

Obama Is Fundraiser in Chief

He's held more events than the last five guys

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has held more fundraising events in his first term than any of the last five presidents—and it’s not terribly close. According to new research reported by USA Today , Obama has held a whopping 127 fundraising events so far, outpacing George W. Bush (88), Bill Clinton (76), and their predecessors. Of those, 37 were for his own campaign, with the rest benefiting congressional Democrats; by contrast, Bush had only held 11 events for himself at this stage. More»

Obama Romancing 'Fat-Cat' Donors

And, simultaneously, not-so-rich ones

(NEWSER) - President Obama's 2012 machine is revving up early, and his campaign is using all its assets to pull in wealthy donors—while also courting the small Internet donors that fueled his grass-roots machine in 2008. The Washington Post takes a long look at the fundraising push, which has included everything from cocktail parties to one-on-ones with Valerie Jarrett to $44 bar get-togethers, depending on what group of donors is being pursued. And the campaign team isn't done yet: Future fundraisers will be even more creative, like the food tasting with the White House chef that's in the works. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Cabinet officials usually refrain from helping other candidates

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • secretary of State • campaign fundraising • Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg • David Paterson • fundraising

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

Hillary to Supporters: Lay Off Caroline

Clinton's not holding any primary grudges, and not taking sides

Will Bill Replace Hill in Senate?

New York governor to choose new senator

Obama Is Fundraiser in Chief

He's held more events than the last five guys

Obama Romancing 'Fat-Cat' Donors

And, simultaneously, not-so-rich ones

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Cabinet officials usually refrain from helping other candidates

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • secretary of State • campaign fundraising • Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg • David Paterson • fundraising

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

Hillary to Supporters: Lay Off Caroline

Clinton's not holding any primary grudges, and not taking sides

Will Bill Replace Hill in Senate?

New York governor to choose new senator

Obama Is Fundraiser in Chief

He's held more events than the last five guys

Obama Romancing 'Fat-Cat' Donors

And, simultaneously, not-so-rich ones

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?