Casey bests Santorum for 1st time in raising of money
2006-10-17
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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rss feedFor months, as U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has trailed Democratic challenger Bob Casey in poll after poll, his supporters have been soothed by the incumbent's huge lead in campaign contributions. But now his monetary advantage has largely evaporated, at least in terms of cash-on-hand, the money at the candidates' disposal for the stretch run to Election Day.
Through Sept. 30, Mr. Casey had about $3.7 million in cash-on-hand, the money left over after his campaign spent most of the $15 million that was raised through the most recent reporting deadline, five weeks from the election. Mr. Santorum had about $3.6 million remaining, after spending more than $20 million.
What's more, for the first time Mr. Casey has raised more money than Mr. Santorum for a full quarter -- from June 30 to Sept. 30, Mr. Casey, Pennsylvania's state treasurer, raised $4.2 million to Mr. Santorum's $3.7 million.
Mr. Santorum had used his financial advantage to flood the radio and television airwaves with ads, especially since Labor Day, when campaign blitzes traditionally start. But those ads have not translated into the incumbent overtaking the challenger in the third-quarter polls, as Mr. Santorum's campaign had undoubtedly hoped.
Despite some variations among the different polls, Mr. Santorum's "positive" number -- the percentage of poll respondents who view the senator favorably -- can't escape the low 40s.
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