http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20040101fundraisers0101p2.aspAs the fourth fund-raising quarter of 2004 rolled to a close on New Year's Eve, presumed front-runner former Vermont Gov. Howard B. Dean had gained a comfortable lead over his rivals by surpassing his third quarter record and raising more than $15 million.
The total also meant that Dean had broken yet another record for Democratic candidates by raising more than $40 million in the year before the primaries began.
Campaign aides said yesterday that Dean's final push for cash at 1,400 house parties around the country Tuesday night was particularly successful. The 22,000 house party guests raised more than $500,000 for the campaign and joined Dean and former vice president Al Gore, who has endorsed Dean, on a celebratory conference call Tuesday night.
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But Ret. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark also posted a strong finish for the fourth quarter, which is only his second fund-raising quarter since beginning his campaign.
Aides said yesterday that Clark had raised more than $10 million in the quarter. Unlike Dean and Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kerry, Clark has agreed to abide by voluntary spending limits set by the government allowing him to collect up to $250 in matching funds for each individual contribution he has received. Aides said they expect to receive about $3.7 million in matching funds on Jan. 2.