This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
The next presidential election in the United States is in November, 2008. Yet
several presidential candidates have raised large amounts of money already.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced this week that his
campaign has raised twenty-five million dollars over the past three months.
More than 100,000 people have given money to the senator from Illinois
for his campaign. Thousands of people made donations of twenty-five or fifty
dollars. Almost seven million dollars was raised on the Internet.
Senator Obama has raised only slightly less money than Senator Hillary
Clinton of New York. She has received twenty-six million dollars in campaign
donations. The former first lady's donations came from 50,000 people.
Senator Clinton has so far raised more money than any other presidential
candidate.
Public opinion studies show Senator Clinton has more support
than the other Democratic candidates. However, experts say the amount of money
Senator Obama has raised shows that he is a major candidate.
Mr. Obama is second among the Democratic candidates in public opinion
studies. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is in third place. Mister
Edwards' campaign reported raising fourteen million dollars so far.
This is the second time Mister Edwards has run for the Democratic nomination
for president. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been the subjects of many news
reports recently. This is because they announced that that they will continue
campaigning even though Elizabeth Edwards' cancer has returned.
Among
Republican Party candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has
raised twenty-three million dollars. 33,000 people have donated to Mister
Romney's campaign. This is more money than any other Republican candidate.
This was a surprise to many people because Mr. Romney is in third place among
Republican candidates in most public opinion studies. Former New York City Mayor
Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain are in first and second place.
Mister Giuliani has raised fifteen million dollars so far this year. Mister
McCain has raised twelve and one-half million dollars.
Never in American history has so much money been raised this early in a
presidential election. Many states are holding their nominating party meetings
and primary elections earlier in 2008. This will force candidates to spend more
money earlier on advertising and campaign workers.
Experts also note that the Democratic presidential candidates have raised
much more money than the Republicans. Historically, the Republican candidates
have raised the most money.
And that's IN THE NEWS, in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake. I'm
Steve Ember.
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