Clinton tops campaign funds list

Hillary Clinton is filling her coffers for the big race itself

Democratic US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has $35m (£17m) in the bank with the big spending race for the White House about to move up a gear.

The first primary elections to decide which candidate will represent each party are just three months away.

Sen Clinton's main rival, Barack Obama, has $32m to spend in his bid for the Democratic nomination, official third quarter campaign figures show.

The nearest Republican runner, Rudy Giuliani, has some $11.6m to spend.

The end-of-quarter fundraising reports which all declared US presidential candidates are required to file offer an indication of how much momentum each campaign is gaining, the BBC's Sarah Morris reports from Washington.

The first nominating contests, the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, are due to take place in early January, although the exact dates are still to be set.

END OF THIRD-QUARTER FUNDS Hillary Clinton (D) - $35m Barack Obama (D) - $32m John Edwards (D) - $12.4m Rudolph Giuliani (R) - $11.6m Mitt Romney (R) - $9.2m Fred Thompson (R) - $7.1m Funds available for primary contests How they spend it Primary and caucus dates How fundraising compares

Mrs Clinton, who in the previous two quarters trailed Mr Obama, mounted an aggressive fundraising drive over the summer, amassing $27m for that quarter.

Mr Obama raised $21m over the same period, according to reports filed with Federal Election Commission (FEC).

They both spent some $21m on the campaign for the primary contests during the third quarter.

Among other Democratic contenders, John Edwards has $12.4m in the bank.

Personal wealth

Among the Republicans, New York's ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani was again the top fundraiser, netting some $11.6m and spending $13m.

Mr Giuliani was again the top Republican fundraiser

His closest rival, Mitt Romney, spent $21m on his campaign during the third quarter, more than twice the amount he raised during the period and more than he spent in previous quarters, according to his FEC report.

The former governor of Massachusetts has been using his personal wealth to supplement money from donors, lending $8.5m to his campaign which netted $9.8 over the summer.

Hollywood character actor Fred Thompson, who did not officially enter the race until early September, reported spending $5.7m during the third quarter and raising $12.8m.

Senator John McCain, who had a dismal second quarter, saw his fortunes revive somewhat, reporting more than $1.6m in funds for the primaries.

Ron Paul, an anti-war congressman from Texas who has a big internet following but is low in the polls, raised $5.1m, more than double his second quarter tally.

Donors can give up to $2,300 for the primary race and the same amount again for the general election race, when the parties' chosen candidates compete for the presidency.

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