by Frank James
Nothing says a campaign is having trouble raising money than the admission that its senior staff have volunteered to work without pay.
Craig Gordon of Newsday has this story:
About a dozen members of Rudy Giuliani's senior staff are passing up their January paychecks to conserve cash -- a sign of money worries inside the campaign as Giuliani heads into costly make-or-break primaries ahead.Campaign aides described it as a voluntary move by several top staffers, and a way for the ex-mayor to marshal resources to stay more competitive in costly upcoming contests.
"We've been extremely responsible with the number of dollars we've raised and have used all our resources effectively to play over a longer period of time, and a larger number of states," said campaign spokeswoman Maria Comella.
But the campaign said Friday that it has just $7 million on hand -- money he must stretch across Florida and the 20-plus states on Feb. 5, when several of the most expensive media markets in the nation all vote. Those states include New York, New Jersey, California and Illinois.
Giuliani's campaign manager Michael DuHaime insisted that the campaign has enough money to execute that strategy, which has turned Florida into a must-win state and Feb. 5 into a must-win day.
"From day one our campaign has been focused on a national strategy built around the new primary calendar," DuHaime said. "We will have the funds necessary to carry out our campaign plan and deliver the Mayor's message in Florida and beyond."
But with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney pledging to carry his campaign to Florida Jan. 29, Giuliani staffers worry that they could face a millionaire candidate who already has dipped into his personal fortune several times, and shows little signs of stopping. Romney, however, could be dealt a crushing blow if he loses Tuesday in Michigan.
Before Friday's no-paycheck move by senior staff, there had been warning signs that funding was growing tight in Giuliani's campaign. In the three months ending in September, he raised $11 million but spent $13 million.
Also, the campaign on Thursday pulled paid staffers from Michigan and South Carolina -- where Giuliani is no longer competing seriously -- to send them into all-important Florida, where he launched a $600,000 advertising campaign.
In addition, Giuliani's decision to spend heavily on TV ads in New Hampshire now appears to have been a strategic miscalculation, as neither the ads nor Giuliani's extensive campaigning there seemed to help him much in the state. He finished a disappointing fourth-place Tuesday, even behind Mike Huckabee, who barely campaigned there.
Besides Romney, Giuliani's competitors also are strapped for cash right now. New Hampshire winner John McCain's campaign has always lagged in fundraising, and even Huckabee had raised little before his come-from-behind Iowa win.
DuHaime said the Giuliani campaign has a total of $12.7 million cash on hand -- but only $7 million can be used in the primary contests.
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Comments
Rudy miscalculated big time, and I couldn't be happier about it.
He esentially skipped the early primaries, but now he not only has no victories, he has no cash.
One less authoritarian, warmongering Republican to worry about.
Posted by: Luke | January 11, 2008 1:29 PM
I think they should take the money from the leaders of Rudys' campaign. I think they are all wrong with their strategy. Ya gotta keep your name out there.....people are starting to ask Rudy who?
Posted by: bill r. | January 11, 2008 1:36 PM
Well, it seems Rudy is running out money. I think the same is the case with many other campaigns. Very similar situation to our own federal govt. All of the money from the income tax is going to just pay the interest on the debt. Last year the income tax couldn't even cover that. We had to borrow to pay the interest on borrowing. A sin and sure fire sign of impending disaster in any financial planner's playbook.
We need some serious and basic financial reform. It is time for the candidates to step out of the box, think independantly and come up with solid, basic economic reform packages. The media also needs to get off reporting about electability, funds and poll positiion and get serious about reporting important policy. We should be discussing the merits of someone's position and how it will effect the economy, govt. and future of our kids, not their pocketbook or chances for a win.
The only guy doing that is Ron Paul and he is getting ripped for it. You know what? As a long time Republican who voted for Bush I am going with him. I don't like all his positions but at least I know he is effective. www.ronpaul2008.com
Posted by: bgodley | January 11, 2008 1:40 PM
Looks like Saint Rudy of 9/11 is going to have to go and beg his ex-wives and mistresses to work for him.
Posted by: John E | January 11, 2008 1:42 PM
If Giuliani's campaign strategy is effective and he wins, that means future candidates will forego spending big money on the caucuses and focus on the larger race. I don't know whether this is good or bad, but I don't think staying out of the public eye for a month is a good strategy.
Posted by: Tom | January 11, 2008 1:46 PM
Rudy and old man McCain should hook up, the could call themselves:
"The crazy old white guys who want to blow up the world" ticket.
Their theme song would be "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran".
Posted by: Billy Zoom | January 11, 2008 2:29 PM
Rudy and old man McCain should hook up, the could call themselves:
"The crazy old white guys who want to blow up the world" ticket.
Their theme song would be "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran".
Posted by: Billy Zoom | January 11, 2008 2:30 PM
Rudi,
Hey, start to focus beyond Florida, even.
How about retirement?
Posted by: C.Morris | January 11, 2008 3:13 PM
will romney 12th march beat osama bin laden 10 th march (b day) by being more slithery
Posted by: smar | January 11, 2008 3:47 PM
will romney 12th march beat osama bin laden 10 th march (b day) by being more slick in his operations !!
Posted by: smar | January 11, 2008 4:04 PM
Giuliani needs to get out now. His experience is zilch. So he was mayor of New York during 9/11. What did he do? - go down to ground zero and take some photo-ops? The real heroes were the firemen and police officers and volunteers who gave their lives. He desecrates their names every time he takes credit for just happening to be the mayor! Big deal!
Posted by: the truth | January 11, 2008 4:58 PM
Billy Z,
I had hope for McSleepy once. He seemed tuff, but fair. Then he did the right wing shuffle.
Dressed to Kill Rudi is a walking, talking world war. You can tell he has the old itchy trigger finger. Wants some quality trigger time.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 11, 2008 5:34 PM
Giuliani is a fraud. He has no platform or ideas. He is an adulterous liar and hypocrite. He believes he should be President because he ventured down to ground zero the day after the tragic events of 9/11. While the twin towers were crumbling to the ground, Giuliani was hiding out at some undisclosed location somewhere in NYC. The real heroes and patriots were the firefighters and rescue workers. He has no leadership experience whatsoever. And don't give this America's mayor thing. That's a pile of garbage. The only thing this schmuck can talk about is how Ronald Reagan is his hero and what a hero he is. Giuliani is the very least qualified candidate, out of all candidates running, to be President.
Posted by: Doug R. | January 11, 2008 6:14 PM
Maybe he can outsource his campaign staff to a third world country to save-up on attack ads. That's a big trend among republicans.
Posted by: RomanB | January 11, 2008 10:06 PM
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT???? WTH...Let's get serious! As a Latina, Female, Moderate Republican there' NO ONE I trust more in the race than Rudy. He's the Peoples Mayor and the People Choice................which is what this country's ALL ABOUT. CHOICE......not just "change". Rudy has the "proven guts" it takes to deal with our current foreign, economical and social issues. He's also REAL. He's not perfect but he's REAL!!! As a woman I would also never vote or trust anyone who wants to limit or take away any of MY rights to CHOOSE no matter what my OWN PERSONAL beliefs are. That's exactly what this countries is about...........not interfering in OUR PERSONAL affairs ............ISN'T IT???? RUDYS JUST GETTIN WARMED UP!!!!!
Posted by: Edie | January 12, 2008 12:11 PM
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT???? WTH...Let's get serious! As a Latina, Female, Moderate Republican there' NO ONE I trust more in the race than Rudy. He's the Peoples Mayor and the People Choice................which is what this country's ALL ABOUT. CHOICE......not just "change". Rudy has the "proven guts" it takes to deal with our current foreign, economical and social issues. He's also REAL. He's not perfect but he's REAL!!! As a woman I would also never vote or trust anyone who wants to limit or take away any of MY rights to CHOOSE no matter what my OWN PERSONAL beliefs are. That's exactly what this countries is about...........not interfering in OUR PERSONAL affairs ............ISN'T IT???? RUDYS JUST GETTIN WARMED UP!!!!!
Posted by: edie | January 12, 2008 12:13 PM