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McAuliffe: Shorter 2008 Race Speeds Fundraising

Terry McAuliffe is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Nicholas Roberts
/
AFP/Getty Images
Terry McAuliffe is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Candidates could spend a total of $1 billion to run for president in 2008. Former Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe says that this time, candidates can't be taken seriously unless they have serious money.

Even after Congress passed a law limiting certain campaign contributions, there's more money in the system than ever. We've reached one of the best in the business at asking for money — and getting yes for an answer.

McAuliffe, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman, was the party's top fundraiser when Bill Clinton was president. With the accelerated primary calendar, McAuliffe tells Renee Montagne, the race for the parties' nomination could be over by next February. Candidates will have to raise at least $35 million this year to be in the game, he says.

McAuliffe is the author of What a Party!, a book about his life in politics.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.