Democratic fund reporting blows computers

WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- Democratic U.S. presidential hopefuls' campaign finance reports have grown so much that computer spreadsheet programs can't handle them, officials said.

Federal election officials said the January fundraising report filed by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., overwhelmed spreadsheet applications such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel 2003, which balk at downloading files with more than 65,536 rows or 256 columns, The Politico reported Monday.

Obama's January fundraising report topped 65,536 rows listing contributions, refunds, expenditures, debts,

reimbursements and other information, the Washington publication reported. In March, reports filed by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., also could no longer be downloaded into spreadsheets using basic applications.

People wanting to examine Obama's or Clinton's finances must import the reports section by section, buy a more powerful application or rely on research groups such as the Center for Responsive Politics, the Politico said.

"Our people are working harder than ever and faster than ever because the candidates are raising more money more quickly than ever and there's such intense interest in who's raising what from whom," said Massie Ritsch, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics.

Presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona can be viewed with Excel 2003, the Politico said.