One observer says the senator has "met the cover charge" for his presidential campaign, which got a late start.
By BILL ADAIR
Published April 8, 2003
WASHINGTON - Sen. Bob Graham has raised just over $1-million for his presidential campaign, enough to be considered a serious candidate but well behind other Democrats.
Graham's campaign said Monday he had raised $1,050,000 entirely from phone calls through March 31. He also has $242,750 in his Senate campaign account and can use most of it for the presidential race.
Two other Democrats, Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, have raised $7-million each. But Graham campaign officials said they are pleased with their initial fundraising efforts and that the Florida Democrat will start holding fundraisers soon.
"The campaign feels very good about this," said Graham spokesman Steve Jarding. "We think you look at this and say, "This is clearly somebody who has a base and has a following.' "
The money is almost entirely from Florida contributors, Jarding said. "This didn't tap into Sen. Graham's national network - and he has one. Most every major national donor knows him on a first-name basis."
The Florida Democrat started late.
He didn't announce his interest in running until late December and then had heart surgery on Jan. 31. He didn't file papers to open his campaign until Feb. 27.
The war in Iraq caused a further delay, because Graham has vowed not to hold public events while soldiers "are in harm's way." In the next week, he is likely to travel to California for a series of private meetings and fundraisers.
Craig Crawford, a political analyst for MSNBC and Congressional Quarterly, said the report showed Graham had "met the cover charge" to be a candidate. "A million dollars would be just about right to be taken seriously," he said.
Analysts have said Graham needs to raise $5-million to $7-million by the end of June to compete with the front-runners.
His rivals have a significant head start.
Edwards announced last week he had raised $7.4-million in the first quarter, much more than analysts had expected. Edwards also has $1.4-million in his Senate campaign account that can be transferred.
Kerry raised about $7-million in the first quarter, in addition to about $3-million from his Senate account.
U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri has a total of $6-million - $3.6-million he has raised and $2.4-million transferred from his House account. Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman raised about $3-million in the first quarter, which was less than expected. He also has about $400,000 in his Senate account.
Candidates do not have to submit their official reports until April 15.
In other campaign news Monday, Graham announced his campaign staff. They include:
Campaign manager Paul Johnson, who was the top strategist for Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor's 2002 campaign. Chuck Todd, a columnist for National Journal, has said Johnson has won more statewide elections than all the other presidential campaign managers combined.
Media consultants Karl Struble and David Eichenbaum, who have worked for 12 of the 48 Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Their firm also has done work for Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa.
Jarding and his partner David "Mudcat" Saunders, who will focus on rural voters. Jarding also will serve as the campaign's communications director.
Political adviser Tommy Thompson, a former aide to Sen. Max Cleland and an official at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Press secretary Jamal Simmons, who has been a campaign spokesman for several Democratic campaigns.
Scheduler Cindy Dwyer, who has worked for several senators.
Collectively, they have lots of experience in the South, a region that will be crucial for Graham.
- Staff writer Bill Adair can be reached at (202) 463-0575 or adair@sptimes.com
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