Giuliani Campaign Facing Budget Crunch?

Supporters of Republican presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani march into the Myrtle Beach Convention Center prior to a Republican presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.

Fox News reported about an hour ago (and now just again) that the Giuliani campaign was asking staffers to work for free.

Immediately Flap’s Bull Shit meter went into gear.

Fox News is WRONG.

And, Flap screams BS.

Here is the statement from the campaign:

“Several members of our staff wanted to work without pay — including the campaign manager — as a way to contribute more to our efforts because they feel so strongly about Rudy’s run. Some other members of our senior staff were asked on a voluntary basis to forgo their paycheck for the month so all of our resources could be targeted toward Florida… That said, our campaign is not — and has never been – living hand to mouth…”

The Florida primary election is in 18 days and Super Duper Tuesday is February 5 – not very far off. If the Giuliani campaign was having cash flow problems then they would miss what one payroll, February 1 – in any case? Or, maybe, two if you figure January 15?
This story is a plant and it is disingenuous of Fox News to deliberately report something that is false.

Update:

Ok, the story has been picked up by the AP and the other cable channels. Is this an indication that the Giuliani Campaign is having money problems?

“We have enough money, but we could always use more money,” contended Mike DuHaime, Giuliani’s campaign manager and one of those who now is working for free. “We want to make sure we have enough to win.”

At the end of December, he said the campaign had $11.5 million cash on hand, $7 million of which can be used for the primary. He disputed the notion of a cash-strapped campaign, and said Giuliani continues to bring in cash; several fundraisers are scheduled this week in Florida.

DuHaime and other aides stressed that relinquishing pay was voluntary and was limited to senior staffers.

“I want to do everything I can to make sure Rudy’s president, and I speak for a lot of the campaign when I say that,” DuHaime said. “None of us joined this campaign for money.”

All of the GOP campaigns, except for Ron Paul (recently), have lagged behind the Democrats this year and have struggled financially.

On the GOP side, McCain is broke and floated a $3 million loan to keep his campaign going. Romney has contributed over $17 million (not counting the last quarter 2007) in his own wealth to fund the campaign and has gone dark (pulled campaign ads) every where except Michigan. Thompson is broke. Huckabee has never been prolific in his fundraising.

Good news is not on the horizon for any of the GOP candidates regarding campaign coffers.

But, what does this mean for the Giuliani campaign?

Probably not much since Florida and Super Tuesday are bunched so close together in the campaign calendar. If Rudy wins, he is flush with new cash. If he loses, then he is out and it doesn’t matter.