Clinton asks supporters to raise money for Obama

Hillary Clinton has reportedly asked her finance committee to shift gears; advisors estimate she can help Obama pull in at least $50 million.

Published June 6, 2008 2:40PM (EDT)

Hillary Clinton and Howard Dean are reportedly working to bring into Obama's fold some of Clinton's most important supporters: Her big fundraisers.

Clinton held a conference call with her national finance committee on Thursday, the Associated Press reports, and asked its members to begin working to raise money for Obama and for the Democratic National Committee. Dean, meanwhile, had dinner with some of her big fundraisers on Wednesday to send a similar message, the AP says. They gave him a message as well, though -- according to Steve Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a Clinton supporter, they asked Dean to tell the Obama campaign "how very focused they are on Hillary being on the ticket."

Clinton advisors estimate that she could help Obama raise between $50 million and $100 million, perhaps more if she were on the ticket.

Separately, the AP also reports that Clinton's debt has grown beyond the number previously reported, and now stands at $30 million; advisors say she will in fact seek help from Obama as she tries to retire that debt.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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