Washington dollars flow to candidates, especially Obama

Washingtonians donated more than $2 million to presidential candidates during the closing three months of 2007, with about a third of that going to Sen. Barack Obama in his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

The Illinois senator received more than $700,000 from Washingtonians, according to his filings with the Federal Election Commission, bringing his total in-state donations to more than $1.7 million since he began his campaign.Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., remained in second place, bringing in more than $540,000 for Washington in October, November and December. She has raised nearly $1 million in the state.

Obama's strength in the state will be important, and closely watched by the Clinton camp, if the Democratic contest continues past Tuesday's "Super Tuesday" multi-state primary as expected.

Washington's caucuses the following Saturday were considered decisive when Sen. John Kerry, an Obama supporter, won them in 2004 to eliminate Howard Dean from contention in the 2004 nomination.

With only Obama and Clinton remaining in contention for the Democratic nomination, Washington's caucusgoers could play an important role..

Meanwhile, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, the anti-war GOP candidate attracted nearly $400,000 in contributions during the latest reporting period from Washingtonians who were attracted to his insurgent Libertarianism. His Washington donations overall total $550,000.

Mitt Romney, the Republican former Massachusetts governor, drew more than $150,000 from state residents. The former venture capitalist has raised more than $700,000 here. Despite Paul's surge, Romney remained third in total Washington state fundraising and still the top Republican of the contest.

In the murkier Republican contest, Romney is facing off with Arizona Sen. John McCain, with Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee considered spoilers by most observers. McCain has raised a total of $340,000 in the state.

Democratic former Sen. John Edwards, who dropped out of the campaign in January, raised close to $200,000 in Washington, bringing his total just shy of Romney's at $690,000.