Howard Dean Leads Democratic Money Chase

[Freddie Stubbs]

Howard Dean is setting a torrid pace in the contest for dollars in the Democratic presidential campaign but it's still President Bush who is proving to be the superstar in raising campaign cash overall.

Bush is expected to have taken in a record of roughly $43 million by the time the third quarter ends Tuesday, bringing his total this year to $78 million or so, Republican Party officials said.

Dean, raising millions on the Internet, will probably take in $13 million to $16 million this quarter, a campaign insider said. That would lift him to at least $23.5 million for the race so far and probably make him the Democratic money leader for the year.

Democratic strategists say Dean could raise at least double what his party's other top hopefuls will collect during the three-month fund-raising period. The former Vermont governor has already passed the Democratic record set by President Clinton, who took in $10.3 million over three months in 1995 for his re-election.

more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-elect/2003/sep/24/092408855.html