Mark Warner off to early lead in PAC fundraising

I found this on the Daily Kos. Below is a list of potential 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates and the amount of cash their PAC’s raised during 2005. (COH = Cash on Hand for each PAC as of 12/31/2005)

So you can see that as of the last day in 2005 former Governor Warner’s PAC is winning the “battle of the PAC fundraising”. What does this mean? Probably not much, but it’s exciting – at least to me – to see Warner’s PAC off to such a good start. It’s interesting to note that Hillary’s PAC is not doing as well at this very moment. In all likelihood Hillary’s cash is probably being funneled into her Senate race, that is if you want to call it a race. Also, you’d to be kidding yourself if you didn’t believe that Bill couldn’t make a few million for Hillary's PAC in one single night of fundraising. Plus, Hillary simply goes by well, Hillary. Now that's star power whether you like it or not….

Regardless, this is good news for Mark Warner. Other than Hillary, I don’t see a single potential Democratic Presidential candidate that has the present political capital/goodwill that Mark Warner has at this moment. (It could be argued that Hillary’s political capital/goodwill doesn’t extend too far past many “blue” states.) Sure 2008 is still two years away, but after looking at this list below – unless a candidate comes from “out of the blue” – you have to like Mark Warner’s chances, and if the early performance of Warner’s PAC is any indication of future support, the future looks very bright indeed.

Warner Forward Together PAC 2005 total: $3.3 million COH on 12/31/05: $2.4 million

Vilsack Heartland PAC (not a federal PAC)2005 total: $1.6 million COH on 12/31/05: $1 million

Bayh All America PAC 2005 total: $379K COH on 12/31/05: $819K

Kerry Keeping America's Promise PAC2005 total: $1.4 million COH on 12/31/05: $488K

Feingold Progressive Patriots PAC2005 total: $595K COH on 12/31/05: $289K

Biden Unite Our States PAC2005 total: $539K COH on 12/31/05: $240K

Clinton HillPAC 2005 total: $113K COH on 12/31/05: $71K

Clark WesPAC 2005 total: $383K COH on 12/31/05: $48K

Edwards One America Committee 2005 total: $625K COH on 12/31/05: $23K

This is money that these candidates will theoretically spread around contested races this year, building goodwill and loyalty as they gear up their presidential bids.