The Source takes aim today at Rep. Cleavers’ recent fundraising:

“Cleaver managed to raise just over $70,000, bringing his total for the 2008 election cycle to roughly $124,000. That total number, you might note, was bested in the last quarter alone by both Sam Graves and Kay Barnes, as well as every member of the 3 candidate field in Kansas’ 2nd District.

Also of note, Cleaver actually spent more ($83,505) than he brought in…”

We believe the writer of this piece must take into account the fact that it is not necessary for Cleaver - or most African American Congressman - to raise large sums of money to be re-elected. No one will challenge Cleaver in a primary, and he’ll have token Republican opposition in the general election. It is politically smart for Cleaver to give $25,000 to the national party and to other candidates. Cleaver not raising a lot of money. No story here.