Clinton, Obama head funding drive

Former President Bill Clinton helped his wife's fundraising efforts

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have come out on top in the battle to raise funds for the bid to become US president.

Hillary Clinton has more in the bank, with $31m (£15.6m) to spend in her White House bid, but that includes a transfer from her Senate campaign.

Barack Obama proved just as potent in his fundraising.

Candidates have to meet a Sunday deadline for detailing fundraising and spending for the first quarter of 2007.

Figures showed Democrat candidates as a group raised $8 for every $5 by Republicans.

Republican figures

Ms Clinton's campaign said her total was the highest ever reported in the first quarter for any candidate.

The $31m includes $26m in donations and $10m transferred from her Senate campaign, minus $5m in spending.

FIRST-QUARTER FUNDS Al Gore: $8.8m, 1999 Phil Gramm: $8.7m, 1995 John Edwards: $7.4m, 2003 John Kerry: $6.9m, 2003 Top 2008 fundraisers so far

But some $6.9m of her chest cannot be spent on the primary, only on the general election.

Ms Clinton's campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, said: "These numbers indicate the tremendous support for Sen Clinton from every walk of life and every part of America."

Barack Obama raised $25.8m, all but $1m in primary donations, which analysts say is a tremendous achievement for a political novice.

He spent $6.6m in the first quarter.

Mr Obama's finances reflected a "desire for a different kind of politics", said Penny Pritzker from his campaign team.

The figures on funds raised and spent in the first quarter of 2007 have to be submitted to the Federal Election Commission by midnight on Sunday.

Senator Chris Dodd, also seeking the Democrat nomination, said he would report having some $7.5m in funds.

The key Republican candidates released their figures over the past two days with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney having $11m on hand and having spent about half of the sum raised.

Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani also has a similar amount on hand. Sen John McCain said he had raised about $13m but has spent 64% of it.

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