Campaigns Release Spending for 2003

AP - Election Spending: Dean raised nearly twice as much as any other Democrat last year: a party record $41 million. He spent all but about $8.5 million of it.

Dean dedicated more than $8.5 million to consultants, staff salaries and related expenses. Ads were another major cost, taking up at least $7 million, and the campaign spent at least $4.5 million on direct mail. (el - Where did the other $12 million go?)

Sources close to the campaign said last week that Dean had about $5 million in cash left after bills were paid. He is withholding staff salaries, isn't airing ads in the seven states with delegate contests on Tuesday, and plans to reduce or shuffle staff as he decides which states to focus on.

His fund-raisers see reason for optimism, in part because the Internet donors key to his fortunes last year have continued giving. Dean raised roughly $1.5 million online last week, and at least $2.2 million from all fund-raising sources since his Iowa loss, his campaign said.

- John Kerry, the front-runner, spent about $23.6 million last year. His campaign raised about $23.5 million in 2003, including about $3 million in a personal loan from Kerry.

- Joe Lieberman raised about $14 million last year. The Connecticut senator had about $612,000 left at the end of December, but also had $253,000 in bills. He received $3.6 million in public financing last month.

- Gen. Wesley Clark also collected about $14 million last year. He spent $10.4 million and had about $3 million on hand after bills Dec. 31. He picked up an additional $3.7 million in presidential public financing in January.

- Al Sharpton raised $396,366 last year and spent $389,677. He had $7,535 on hand and $348,450 in bills on Dec. 31, and loaned his campaign at least $10,000. Sharpton, a civil rights activist, has applied for public financing and hopes to get his first check soon.

Bush has collected at least $140 million so far, including $132.7 million last year and more than $7.3 million in January.