Democratic Party lags in money

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS

The Democratic National Committee barely has more cash than it does IOUs, and it is being outraised month after month by its Republican competitor.

Its $24 million debt from the 2012 presidential election, only recently paid down, has squeezed investments in the next White House race. Underdeveloped party resources such as voter data files could become a serious disadvantage for the eventual nominee, particularly if that person is not front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, who would enter a general-election contest with her own outreach network.

Those fundraising realities are top of mind as Democratic officials, donors and activists meet through Saturday in Minneapolis. Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island are scheduled to speak to attendees today.