Now both camps are pooh-poohing the expectations game.  

Yes, that is part of the money game.

Clinton camp is stating that Obama is going to raise 30M.  Now I am here to TELL YOU, if he does that, I will reveal myself.  OK?

Obama is stating he is 15-19M and that Clinton will raise 35M.  If that happens, I may have to SWITCH to Clinton, for real.

An aide to Clinton's campaign tells ABC News that they expect to have raised between $17 and $20 million in the third quarter fundraising period between July 1 and Sept. 30, and suggested the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will raise over $30 million, thanks in large part to online donations -- -- even though they have no direct knowledge of what Obama will raise.

Blaming a vacationing donor base during the summer months of July and August, and suggesting previous donors have "maxed out" their contributions to the New York senator in the first two fundraising quarters, the Clinton campaign predicted Obama's campaign will beat them by over $10 million, perhaps setting the bar high for their rival.

Now the word is that the both will bring in the low 20M, but Clinton has the edge.

A failure to out-raise Clinton would deprive Obama of the momentum he needs to overcome his rival's significant leads in national and key state polls. Obama raised $33 million to her $27 million in the second quarter and ended up with more cash on hand for the primary elections. His campaign had aimed to be able to outspend her significantly in the last part of 2007 and early next year.

``The Clinton juggernaut is moving if she out-raises him this quarter,'' said Peter Fenn, a Democratic consultant who isn't affiliated with any candidate this year. ``It makes the argument for her winnability an easier one.''

But she is vague on her donor list which has taken a life of its own this cycle.  Why?  It shows the breathe of one's campaign.  Obama is the candidate that the internet donors are donating to, and in a big way.  Just look at his tic-tock clock, it is shattering.  That number represents people who have donated, but more so, people who are still donating.

So even, if Obama is off a mil or two, it really does not minimize anything.  Especially, if the number of donations on Clinton side is targeted for the general vs. the primary.

So, why the fixation?  

Simple.  A campaign is two dimensional.  The candidate, with message of who he/she is and the message they bring.  And the money.  Which shows the viability of a candidate, support, and strength.

For the democrats, unlike the republicans, the honey pot has been generous this cycle.  Democrats, Independents and Repubicans have been excited by our candidates.  But now we are coming to the final quarter before the game starts.

Now people are looking at who will win.  Especially these early states.  And some have stated that is why SEIU is holding off its endorsemnt.  Waiting for Q3 numbers.

Why?

Well, these unions jumped the shark in 2004 and are looking these candidates over with a fine tooth comb. Any candidate getting the SEIU endorsement, will get a 2 million union member backing.  So, as they asked the candidate campaigns to present how they will win, don't think they have not pushed their decision back to October to look at these Q3 numbers.  I think it will all be put into play.

LINK, LINK