Clinton adviser: Clinton 'willing' to lend campaign more money

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/05/11/art.tm.cnn.jpg caption="Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe says the campaign will pay off all its debts. "]

(CNN) - A top Clinton adviser this morning said that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is open to the possibility of loaning her campaign more money to continue in the race.

Terry McAuliffe, the Clinton campaign chairman, told Tim Russert on “Meet the Press” that he spoke to Clinton about the possibility of contributing more money and “she said that she would be willing to do it.” However, McAuliffe insists, “We haven’t needed it.”

Russert pressed the issue, asking McAuliffe if the Clintons will be able to repay all debts after the campaign is over. “We plan on it,” he replied.

The Clintons have contributed a sizeable amount to Hillary’s campaign, loaning $6.4 million in just the last few weeks. The total amount loaned is estimated to be around $11 million, with the campaign $20 million in debt.

Sen. Barack Obama has consistently raised more money than Sen. Clinton since February, primarily through small donor contributions. The differences can especially be seen in daily numbers, with Obama bringing in at least $220,000 every day in March. Clinton, on the other hand, had one day in the same month where she took in just under $6,000.

Last week, Senator Obama sparked rumors that his campaign would pay off Clinton’s campaign debts once he secured the nomination. “I'd want to have a broad range of discussions with Senator Clinton about how I could make her feel good about the process and have her on the team moving forward,” Obama told reporters on Friday.

Obama strategist David Axelrod was asked to comment on the issue during his interview this morning on “Fox News Sunday.” Axelrod called the discussion “premature,” claiming that he believes Senator Clinton will be able to pay off her debts.

When asked about how Obama donors would feel about their money possibly going towards the Clinton campaign, Axelrod responded, “No one said that we were going to transfer money from the Obama campaign to the Clinton campaign.”