Romney: Huckabee, Thompson need more money
Romney greets a future voter in New Hampshire.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Mike Huckabee had a surprisingly strong showing in the Iowa straw poll last month and Fred Thompson finds himself second in most national polls, but according to rival Mitt Romney, it's all about the money.
The former Massachusetts governor told the Associated Press Friday the two Republican White House hopefuls each need to raise $20 million this quarter to be considered a first-tier candidate.
"If Huckabee raises $20 million this quarter, like we did in the [first] quarter, then he'll become a front-tier candidate," Romney said. "And I think from Thompson's standpoint, I think he certainly has to look at $20 million as sort of the - this is, if you will, the low hanging-fruit quarter for him."
Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, had raised $1.3 million for his presidential bid by the end of June, according to the latest FEC filing. Thompson, a former Tennessee senator who officially jumped in the race Thursday raised $3.4 million in the month of June.
Meanwhile, Romney has raised approximately $35 million so far this campaign season and has loaned himself an additional $8 million.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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Huckabee I wouldn't say so much..but Thompson yes...if he doesn't raise a ton of cash he is DONE.
Thompson claims he doesn't need that much cash because of his internet support...but unlike Ron Paul he does not have internet support.
There was a meeting for Thompson supporters in Utah....and ONLY FOUR people showed up.
Know why? Because even thought Thompson tries to sound like Ron Paul...his record shows that he is all talk. Which is why his internet support is tiny, on internet you can't lie to the people.
Naturally he wants it to be all about the money – it's the only meter by which he's in the lead.
This is exactly why I don't trust this man to be president - he's convinced his money is more important than his values. And his Mormom values are pretty darned scary.
I'd say the fundraising total for Huckabee and Thompson matters less than which one ends up with more. If Huckabee reports upwards of 8 or 10 million by the October 15 deadline, that'll be enough slingshot him into serious consideration for the nomination. Thompson's expectations are much higher. If he doesn't top Huckabee, it'll probably be the beginning of the end for Fred.
Oh, and one more thing...
Newt Gingrich might play a hand in this. He's likely to endorse one of them. Same goes for James Dobson. Both of them could play kingmaker, in this regard. Huckabee really needs it.
well he is right the dems are sure the heck loaded with cash right now so if we are going to be competitive we need candidates who can pull in the type money ya need to win...as for fred i think he may have waited to long guys and huckabee well i don't no but it's not top tier right thats for certain.
You need money, need to debate, need to win straw polls, need to work your tail off.
Congrats on the nice showing in Ohio Huckabee. I'd love to see you on the ticket. But yes, it is now time to start acting like a serious candidate and pull in some serious dough.
Romney and Huckabee together would trash the Democrats on health care!
I disagree w/ Huckabee on pretty much every issue, but I respect him becaus he stands by his ideals + he believes these ideals create a better country for everyone, not solely his peers.
Romney's comment is sadly true, and surprisingly candid. (Mitt just met his monthly quota for genuine, candid comments... excuse me, comment.) He sucks. People will also soon see throught the F. Thompson charade.
Actually, maybe they won't. Bush is on year 7.
I also think that Romney and Huckabee (in that order) would make a nice ticket to sell.
Romney is full of it. His idea of fundraising is taking a loan from himself.
Besides, what's the point of spending all this money if people still come away thinking he's a tool?
Too bad Huckabee doesn't have enough money for his campaign.George spent it all in Iraq!
HEY MIKE...GO TO IRAQ AND GET IT BACK!
Romney and/or Gulliani will NEVER get on the Republican ticket, no matter how much money they raise.
I suspect the ticket will be Huckabee/Thompson. Huckabee is the only conservative in the race.
"Thompson claims he doesn't need that much cash because of his internet support…but unlike Ron Paul he does not have internet support."
Fred Thompson raised over 300,000 dollars in less than 24 hours yesterday, all of it in internet donations.
I use the internet, and I support Fred. I guess that means he does have "internet support," whatever you think that means.
P.S. Ron Paul is wacko.
This country needs Huckabee. A true honest man who will work for ALL people of this country, regardless if the people are rich, middle-class or poor. That is one very important quality that Huckabee has that no other candidate has (Republican or Democrat). This country is where it is today because of the wealthy people that 'WE' keep voting into office.
I'm praying for you, Mr. Huckabee, as well as this country. God bless!
Imagine that...Romney believes it is all about the money. From a candidate who has more money than substance, this is NO surprise. Apparently in his world it has nothing to do with what you stand for because you can change that as often as you change your shorts. BUT, for him it is about the $$$. Give us all a break Mitt.
I am impressed that Huckabee is making such a strong showing without all the money. Perhaps people want to hear what he has to say!
ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com
If history is a guide, then you really can't trust what Romney is out there promising the public. Evidence? Look here:
http://news.aol.com/elections-blog/2007/09/08/trusting-mitt-romney/
I find Mitt Romney bashful and arrogant not to mention aloof. I can't stand the guy. Money does matter somewhat but not always. It does not mean that he will win because he is buying everything including votes.
Nice spin Alexander.
People vote with their dollars, and yes, the candidates need to put their money where their mouth is.
America is part business, enterprise and money. It is a reality we cannot function without, and if candidates can't raise money for their campaigns, how will they do it for America?
Romney is candid and straight forward about this. He is also one of the most skilled candidates in this area. America will end up more prosperous if he is at the helm. And I find Romney very personable.
How is this news? If you spent as much time writing about candidate's credentials and positions on issues as you do how much money they pile up, candidates might not need to have so much money for ads, as the news media might help articulate differences in candidate positions and truly help inform the people.
If the only way you judge a first tier candidate is by the size of their war chest, rather than the ideas that they can contribute, we are doomed to a political system by those with money, of those with money, and for those with money.
give up already. you are a sore loser
It's a nice sentiment to state that substnace is more important than money, and I agree that it is. But reality check here people... money makes the world go 'round- it's reality. If candidates can't raise enough money, they lose- it's not rocket science.
I think that money is in effect the vote of people who are passionate, or who have a lot of money and want the candidate that is least likely to rock the boat. I can see how rice people want to support rich people. After all, he has to have some intelligence and work ethic to become rich and maintain it. On the other hand, I think there might be more to having a great country than protecting the wealth of the wealthy. I don't see the policies of Mr. Romney that inspire me, personally. But I only have a six-digit income, I'm not rich like he is.
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Romney and Huckabee together would trash the Democrats on health care!
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You mean, would perpetuate the, "only the well-off can afford health care" B.S. that the hard-hearted Repubs are famous for.
You're actually PROUD of that? Heh. What a humanitarian.
Good health care for every American is FAR more important than in illegal war by a pair of terrorist war criminals like Bush and Cheney.
Thompson and Romney couldn't get elected president if the Dem candidate dropped dead the day before the election.
But don't listen to me! Please continue supporting, and getting nominated, ANOTHER right-wing fascist. Please. Do that.
Romney feels so threatened by Huckabee and Thompson. Heck, huckabee hasn't even raised 5 million dollars during his whole campaign. People don't care how much money candidates have, people care on what the candidates stand for. Romney's only advantage in this whole raise, if it is an advantage, is his enormous wealth. If he had as much money as Thompson and Huckabee has, he would have left the raise a long time ago. At the Iowa Straw Poll, he spent millions of dollars, but only got less than 35% of the vote, thus proves my point. Money can't and won't buy your office, ideas do. Go Huckabee!!