Bernie Sanders readies for first financial test against Hillary Clinton

[Jefferson23]

CNN)Just as Bernie Sanders' presidential bid picks up momentum, his David-versus-Goliath mission against Hillary Clinton is facing up to its first major hurdle as both campaigns tout their first fundraising hauls of the 2016 contest.

Sanders, who's enjoying a bounce in the polls and has 9,000 energized supporters the campaign says have signed up to "feel the Bern" at a Madison, Wisconsin event Wednesday night, is going up against the well-connected, deep-pocketed Clinton fundraising machine. For being the little guy who says he hates fundraising -- so far it looks like he's holding his own.

As the fundraising quarter closed at midnight, it appears the Vermont senator's campaign will turn in a relatively strong report. Sanders has raised roughly $8 million online, according to FEC filings from ActBlue, the organization handling his digital donation. His expected numbers will pale in comparison to the $45 million Clinton raised, an official with her campaign said Wednesday morning.

If Sanders was running a traditional campaign, this could be a problem. Money is the lifeblood of presidential campaigns, not only practically, but symbolically. When the Federal Election Commission officially releases campaign's quarterly reports in early July, the fundraising tally will be devoured for signs of strengths, weaknesses and momentum.

in full: http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/01/politics/bernie-sanders-fundraiser-clinton-poll/

[mmonk]

1. I don't think we're naive. We know we are on our own.

[Jefferson23]

6. That is how I see it too, we are definitelly on our own and it will be tough. n/t

[mmonk]

11. I'm always up for a good fight.

[Jefferson23]

14. Damn right..me too. n/t

[sabrina 1]

2. Fantastic way for Bernie to TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS. He is leading the way, showing

those who SAY they want to end it, how to do it.

JUST DON'T TAKE IT!

CNN maybe be missing the point. The corrosive effect of money in politics IS the issue of this campaign.

So he is facing no HURDLE here, he is SHOWING it CAN be done WITHOUT Corporate bribes, which is how most people are viewing these obscene amounts of money being paid to our candidates in campaigns.

Too bad they don't point to the issue itself, but then they ARe the Old Media.

[Jefferson23]

7. Someone had to say, no more. I am thrilled it is Bernie Sanders taking the risk. n/t

[morningfog]

3. Bernie is a bargain. He's cut Hillary's lead to 8-10 points in NH and in half

in Iowa, on a shoestring budget.

Keep on keeping on Sen. Sanders.

[HFRN]

5. 'on a shoestring budget'

he has an important skill Hillary doesn't - he knows how to travel without a private jet

[Adrahil]

8. We shall see. Only winning counts in the end. nt

[Beagle One]

9. So sez a guy that thinks Bernie will 'top out' at 30%

He's not Kucinich. He is the right candidate for the right climate.

He's still tapping into untold millions of Americans that has given up voting because of "status quo" or "no difference between Republican and Democrats" as foretold by Nader in 2000.

At the end, it'll be Bernie with a unified Americans ready to stand by him.

Politics as usual is over.

[Adrahil]

10. Again, we shall see.

I think bernie has a support ceiling. But if I'm wrong, I'll happily admit it. The lastest CNN poll confirms my feelings thus far, though.

And anyone who thinks that there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats is a damned fool.

[azmom]

4. Bernie's weapon is telling the truth!

[Mnpaul]

12. Bernie sent out a end of quarter fundraising email the other day

They tell me he brought in 4.7 million yesterday

Yesterday we tweeted that it was going to be the day of small-dollar donors at ActBlue, because grassroots donations were flooding in.

The Republicans saw that message and emailed their entire list, saying we were "flaunting" (a thinly veiled reference to our pride logo) the buckets of cash we were bringing in. It's rich coming from the billionaire-backed GOP.

We DID help raise a lot of cash yesterday — $4.7 million. But that came from 106,372 contributions at an average of $44. It was the power of small-dollar donors in action, and it clearly had the Republicans running scared.

[Jefferson23]

15. +1. n/t

[Delmette]

13. Hillary should have learned in 2008

That small donations from individuals add up to more votes.

I support Bernie! !!

[99Forever]

16. Social media will be the great equalizer in this campaign.

Money can't beat our numbers. Talk with everyone you know! Introduce them to Senator Bernie and OUR People's movement. We WILL do this.