Finance Co-Chair: Hillary is Flush

Despite recent reports that the Clinton campaign is cash-strapped and will have trouble remaining competitive through the post-Super Tuesday primary season, Clinton confidante and National Finance Committee Co-chair John Graham tells The Political Machine that Hillary '08 is doing just fine, thank you.

David Knowles reported yesterday that Hillary Clinton had loaned her campaign $5 million, and on last night's Countdown, it was reported that Clinton campaign staffers had agreed to work this month without pay. But, according to Graham, Hillary's online donations since Super Tuesday have kept pace with Obama's, the $5 million loan was repaid, and the staffers will not have to forgo their salaries.

"We've raised almost $7 million from the website since Super Tuesday, and the two of them (Clinton and Obama) have raised a total of about $14 million. After Super Tuesday, the donations came pouring in."

After the jump, the broad strokes of our nearly hour-long conversation, including thoughts on McCain, the "Dream Ticket", that rumored Al Gore endorsement, and what to expect from John Edwards. On Romney dropping out: "This is going to be terrible for them (Clinton and Obama), because, you know, they're fighting it out, they're going to have to keep spending money while McCain sits back and raises money until the convention."

On the Al Gore endorsement rumor: "I checked on that, Tommy. There's nothing like that at all going around the campaign....Let's just say that comes from the very top. Besides, like I told you, I don;t think those endorsements mean much, (laughs) I mean, have you heard from Kennedy or Kerry the last couple of days?"

On the "Dream Ticket" of Clinton/Obama (bearing in mind that, just weeks ago, Graham had suggested NJ Senator Robert Menendez to Clinton as a running mate):"I think she would definitely do it. The (bad) blood has died down a lot. They would be unstoppable, they'd get everyone. It would be great. For the first time, you'd have overcome race and gender...I think Barack needs the 8 years, but he'd come out of it in great position. They must, they must do it. Barack can't carry those Republican states by himself."

On Hillary at the bottom of such a ticket: "Knowing her, I don't think she would do it, just because of the experience factor, you know, it wouldn't seem right."

On John Edwards: "Yes, they have been in touch a few times since John dropped out. I wouldn't expect him to endorse anytime soon."

This echoes the talk I had with Joe Trippi this afternoon, who said he is laying low for awhile to figure out what's next.

Graham and I spoke at length on a number of subjects, and he expressed dismay at the media coverage of Clinton, singling out Chris Matthews and Tim Russert. We'll have more from this interview this weekend, but it's hard argue that last point.