Mitt Throws Money at Former Critics

How the candidate tied up some of the GOP's biggest donors

(NEWSER) - Of all the GOP presidential candidates competing to raise funds, Mitt Romney needs the money least, David Kirkpatrick ovserves in the Times. The founder of a giant private equity firm, he can afford to pay for the race himself. But he's pulled in the most—$20 million—precisely because he needs to show that he's not a Steve Forbes or a Ross Perot. More»

With $10M since bringing Palin on board, GOP looking amply financed

(NEWSER) - John McCain’s presidential campaign raised $47 million in August, its biggest monthly take yet, the AP reports. The campaign has apparently received $10 million in donations since McCain announced Friday that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. Officials say the total Republican general-election chest will be at least $224 million by next week, when McCain receives $85 million in public funds. More»

Current candidates not wowing GOP's most devoted checkbooks

(NEWSER) - The money machine that backed George Bush’s two presidential runs is sputtering for 2008’s Republican hopefuls. Disenchanted by Iraq and unimpressed with the current field, GOP donors are largely sitting out—or even padding Democrats' coffers, reports the Washington Post. “I’m not sure which primary I’ll vote in," said one, who sent Barack Obama a check. More»

(NEWSER) - The $35 million Hillary Clinton has on hand for her primary campaign edges out the $32 million in Barack Obama’s coffers, according to financial reports acquired by the AP. But both have almost three times the money of any other campaign—Rudy Giuliani leads Republicans with just $11.6 million, less than third-place Democrat John Edwards. More»

She keeps things personal, appeals to conservative base

(NEWSER) - Ann Romney’s image as a demure stay-at-home mom separates her from more "modern" First Lady aspirants – and solidifies Mitt's plan to coax Christian conservatives to the polls, the Boston Globe reports. “His message is going to be, 'Not only am I against abortion and gay marriage, but I practice what I preach," says one analyst. "And voila, look at my beautiful stay-at-home wife." More»