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Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: News

Clinton campaign over $11,000 in debt to Penn

Colin Kavanaugh

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Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall in March. The Clinton campaign is over $20 million in debt.
Media Credit: Michael Chien/DP File Photo
Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall in March. The Clinton campaign is over $20 million in debt.
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Last March, Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke to a small crowd at Houston Hall about the housing crisis. That same month, Chelsea Clinton came to Wynn Commons to talk about issues relevant to students during the campaign. Almost a month later, Clinton held her final rally before the Pennsylvania primary at the Palestra with her family cheering behind her.

But since Clinton suspended her campaign for the presidency last month, many universities and venues across the country have been asking: where's the money?

Penn is one such university.

"They do still owe us some money," said Ron Ozio, director for media relations at Penn.

According to the Federal Election Commission, the Clinton campaign is more than $20 million in debt, including $11.4 million that Clinton lent the campaign herself. $11,126.72 of that debt is owed to Penn.

The University could not comment on the amount that the campaign owed to Penn but the FEC says that the campaign's debt with the University initially stood at $23,953.99. Since, the campaign has dispensed $12,827.27 to the University, bringing the debt to its current total.

Ozio said the University could not elaborate on whether the campaign paid part of the venue cost upfront.

But paying off these debts will take more than writing a single check.

Even after Clinton removes her personal loans from the equation, there is still more than $9 million in unpaid bills. And convincing voters to write checks to a campaign that no longer exists is no easy task.

Traditionally, the victorious nominee of a party takes on the debt of the losing candidate of the same party. This year, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has asked his supporters to assist in paying off Clinton's campaign debt.

However, recent comments from high-profile fundraisers for Obama have shown little enthusiasm for shelling out for the losing candidate.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6

Alum '08

posted 7/17/08 @ 9:25 AM EST

If the Clinton campaign doesn't pay, I hope the University pursues legal action. If it were a Republican candidate that owed money, you can be sure that Penn would already be filing suit. (Continued…)

Michael

posted 7/17/08 @ 1:28 PM EST

why the supporters refused to donate to pay off the debit? it is my believe that if Clinton have won the pry election the story could have been diffrent, i will like both the Obama and current supporters of Democract party to come together and do something to resolved the Clinton outstanding . (Continued…)

Tim

posted 7/17/08 @ 1:45 PM EST

Ms Clinton come on get all the big name together to off set the campaign outstanding , Obama can only promised since him self is beging for money on the internet and donations from average Americans, let Mr Clinton contact all the respected names he knows to help, Your satus can not be tarnished just because University filing suit. (Continued…)

Adewole

posted 7/17/08 @ 1:55 PM EST

What a great time to inform average American that no one is above debt, can you imagin the leve of debt needs to be pay after she has donated $11.89m to the campaign team. (Continued…)

Lemonade Diet

posted 7/17/08 @ 5:59 PM EST

Obama may still pay that debt. Maybe he will pick Clinton as a running mate since that will give him the best chance of winning, although I do not know if Clinton will accept that. (Continued…)

Easy solution

posted 7/18/08 @ 1:10 PM EST

I'm guessing that Penn likes to have news-worthy, high-profile speakers come to campus and normally they shell out big bucks for prominent leaders. Why not have Clinton (maybe both Clintons) do an event for Penn students & faculty in exchange for debt forgiveness?

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