Essential Estrogen

You may have caught Sen. Joe Biden on Fox News Sunday today. At nearly the end of the show (which deals mostly with AG scandal and sworn testimony) Biden informs host Chris Wallace that his campaign has raised roughly $3 million in this cycle.

BIDEN: Well, I think we're going to talk about somewhere around $3 million for this quarter. I think we're on track to be able to raise what we need, which we think is $20 million to $25 million to compete.

But, Chris, if this gets down to just straight money, then there's only going to be one, maybe two candidates in the race. But I don't believe that.

I believe as long as Iraq and foreign policy and these big issues are in play, that my having enough money to compete in Iowa will allow me to win the nomination.

I don't think it's going to be won by money.

Biden makes the best point for Iowa and New Hampshire remaining first in the nation as well as them holding their contests at least one full month ahead of any others: even those without money can play here. Wallace, of course, doesn't get it.

WALLACE: But, Senator, I mean, let's be realistic here. The estimates are that when the numbers do come out the next few days, that Senator Clinton may raise north of $25 million, maybe even north of $30 million. Obama north of $20 million.

Can you really honestly -- I mean, you're a realistic man. Can you compete at $3 million?

I think someone should have told Wallace that it is difficult to step on Biden's toes. After all, he's been around the block a few times and knows how to make a point.

BIDEN: ... I read Broder's article (note: subscription required) today, you probably saw it, saying that 90-plus percent of the punditry talk about the status of affairs for presidential campaigns at this stage is worthless.

This is worthless. If people think we're going to pick a nominee based on how much money they have rather than based on their ideas, I think they vastly underestimate the Democratic electorate in these primaries.

From there Wallace moved on and allowed Sen. Mitch McConnell to answer an ad by Americans United for Change without having an opposing viewpoint available.