Clinton Camp Expects Obama to Beat Them by Over $10 Million

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In an election campaign on track to be the most expensive in U.S. history, the presidential candidates are making a final week push for fundraising dollars.

However, some presidential campaigns — including the one run by leading Democratic candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. — are busily lowering expectations this week.

Clinton's campaign officials are suggesting that her chief Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., could beat her by over $10 million.

Clinton 3rd Quarter Expectation: No More than $20 Million

Clinton is holding fundraisers this week in New York and California.

According to a Clinton campaign aide, they expect to raise $17 million to $20 million in the third quarter, and suggested Obama's campaign has brought in over $30 million, thanks, in large part, to online donations.

The Clinton campaign hints that Obama's Internet supporters will put him over the top in the third quarter.

"They have an advantage," the Clinton aide said. "For us, the summer is slow, because we've maxed out far more of our donors than they have."

The Battle for Fundraising Dollars

The two leading Democratic frontrunners have been battling for fundraising dollars since the campaign began. Even though Clinton had more cash on hand than Obama in the first quarter, he outraised her in both the first and second quarters.

"This is traditionally a tough quarter, but we're pleased with our level of support," Clinton spokesperson Blake Zeff said about the campaign's expected third quarter fundraising totals.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3644382&page=1