Reports that Barack Obama has, once again, out-raised Hillary in funds to the tune of $55 million in February alone may be the deciding factor in this year’s Democratic primary race.

The Clinton’s, long the Party’s money machine, have now been eclipsed by the Obama mint. It may not seem so obvious when comparing the $193 million Obama has raised in the last year compared to what Hillary has brought in, but consider that Clinton has been the celebrated front runner since 2004. She was the presumed Democratic candidate as recently as this past fall, yet, this upstart first term Senator is drawing in half again as much as the Anointed One.

“Until now, the high water mark for overall primary fundraising through February of an election year was set by President Bush in 2004, when he was unopposed. Bush had raised $155 million for the comparable period. Subtracting the money Obama has raised for the general election, Obama has raised more than $186 million.”

This is no minor issue. This means that Barack Obama is a bigger money draw than the Clintons. He is pulling in these record funds competing against her for those monies. Surely, if Obama is out of the picture, Hillary would collect some of the money now going to Obama for the general election. However, the amount of “Hillary money” that Obama would collect if she is out of the picture would be considerably higher.

So?

This simple fact is what is going to make Barack Obama even more attractive to the Democratic leadership. Money is what fuels campaigns and the agenda for political parties. Money is what Howard Dean needs and wants for the 2008 election to solidify - to further grasp - control over Congress.

Hillary Clinton will not pull in the money that Barack Obama can in 2008. I said here, here, here and here that the Democratic Party doesn’t want Hillary to be the nominee.

This is just another reason for the Party to turn from her and to Barack Obama.