Clinton wasn't available to reporters to discuss her campaign's decision to stiff the party faithful, but her chief Pennsylvania booster, Gov. Rendell was.
"Senator Clinton has no street money," Rendell said. "We barely have enough to communicate on basic media. Senator Obama has money to burn."
Ward leaders use street money to pay party committeepeople to work their voting divisions on election day and sometimes for other expenses, including meals, transportation or for hiring extra workers.
Many party veterans say the lack of street cash won't matter in a highly visible and hotly contested presidential primary, since voters are already energized and won't be persuaded by a committeeperson's recommendation.
But that doesn't mean it won't bruise some feelings.
"It's a grave concern to a lot of ward leaders in poorer sections of the city," said West Philadelphia ward leader Carol Campbell. "Not everyone who is a committeeperson has a patronage job. Many have menial positions, and they have to take the day off to work election day."
Northeast Philadelphia ward leader and city controller Alan Butkovitz said that presidential candidates don't need ward leaders to get the turnout.
"This strikes me as much ado about nothing," Butkovitz said. "I can't remember when a presidential candidate came in and gave money. . . . I'm sure on election day they'll have all kinds of union support, telephone banks and field operations going."
Several African-American ward leaders who support Obama said last night that they aren't bothered by the lack of street money, and that their troops are truly inspired by his campaign.
It also helps that the party itself will come up with some cash.
The Democratic City Committee raises money for election day street operations from candidates for state legislature and other offices, and from the pre-election fundraiser.
