Palin to campaign in Texas for Gov. Perry?

Houston Chronicle:

Gov. Rick Perry has raised $4.2 million in the final nine days of June, giving him $9.3 million to begin his expected GOP primary campaign against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Hutchison transferred money from her U.S. Senate account at the end of last year, giving her $8 million to start the campaign.

Perry was prohibited by state law from raising money during the regular legislative session and through the period when he can sign and veto bills. Hutchison had no such restrictions.

Hutchison’s campaign was giving no hint of how much she raised. Detailed reports on fund-raising for the first half of this year are not due until next Wednesday.

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Besides the money, Perry said Wednesday he will have out-going Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin campaigning for him in Texas, according to an interview he gave the Associated Press. Palin is popular with social conservatives who will make up a large portion of the Texas primary turnout.

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With half a year of fund-raising left to go, Perry and Hutchison could enter the primary with each having $20 million budgets.

Perry, who has become an evangelist for online politics, bragged that $454,094 of his current fund-raising was done online.

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I don't think either of these candidates will have trouble raising money this year. Perry has been very available to the new media, especially bloggers. He has also honed his message on jobs and the success of the Texas economy. Hutichison's campaign staff has done some outreach, but to date she has not shown the same availability as Perry.