Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton ended September with more money in the bank than rival Barack Obama, holding $35 million for the presidential primary contests to his $32 million. U.S. political parties select candidates for president and vice-president through a series of state primaries and caucuses, culminating in their national conventions. The frenzied 2008 primary schedule -- 27 states vote in 32 days -- will benefit candidates able to finance massive "get-out-and-vote" advertising campaigns.