DNC fundraising lags

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- The most recent U.S. Federal Election Commission reports reveal the Democratic National Committee is lagging far behind the Republicans in fundraising.

Despite record fundraising by Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Barack Obama, Ill., and Hillary Clinton, N.Y., the DNC had only $5.3 million in cash on hand as of the end of March, compared to the $31 million declared by the Republican National Committee, Politico reported Friday.

"The general election has started; we should be raising $15 million a month," said a senior DNC official speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said the committee is bringing in less than $6 million per month.

"It's a little nuts that we are spending so much money fighting each other instead of Republicans," the official said. "We should be doing things that start defining (presumptive Republican nominee John) McCain our way instead of his way. And if we had more money we could do more."

Some DNC officials blamed the fundraising disparity on the extended primary season, which they said led many donors to tap themselves out by giving money to the candidates.