Democratic candidate Joe Biden says he’s uncomfortable raising money and had neglected that part of his presidential campaign. According to Biden, that’s one reason why he’s had such a lackluster showing so far in the race for the White House.
In the past three months, Biden has raised about $2.5 million. That compares to rival Barack Obama’s cash haul of $32 million and Hillary Clinton’s $27 million.
“I’m not whining. It’s just a reality,” Biden says.
The cash-rich candidates like Obama and Clinton are able to fly in chartered jets and Biden is “envious” because he has to fly commercial. “Because if I had a plane, I would make 30 percent more appearances in the state of Iowa, in New Hampshire, in Nevada,” Biden says. “That’s where money does make a difference.”
Biden has set a new fundraising goal of $25 million and he plans to dedicate more of his time making fundraising pitches. “I’m not complaining about this. I come from a tradition of ‘never complain, never explain,'” Biden says. “I do not believe the money is going to change the (minds) of Caucus-goers.”
Biden says while he’s fielded plenty of questions from reporters about his lackluster fundraising, no Iowa voter has ever brought the subject up with him.
Biden made his comments to reporters after an appearance in Des Moines at a forum sponsored by www.iowapolitics.com .