-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PKvpTyaDwL9ZCJSZiSirLl1kLv6/rBo8khcbQnh6p8lrPA3cIC8lDCia0jnBT6DU
 kv7Mmn4+wP7mO79MqKmfIw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001245374-04-000007.txt : 20041229
<SEC-HEADER>0001245374-04-000007.hdr.sgml : 20041229
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041229082731
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001245374-04-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041229
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041229

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FLAHERTY & CRUMRINE/CLAYMORE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245648
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		301 E COLORADO BLVD
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALE DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245374

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21380
		FILM NUMBER:		041229517

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4152638908

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 MONTGOMERY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 426
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94104
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001245648</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FLAHERTY &amp; CRUMRINE/CLAYMORE TOTAL RETURN FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FLC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245374</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GALE DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>220 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 426</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94104</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.49</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert M. Ettinger</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>gale.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>


POWER OF ATTORNEY


	KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the
person whose name appears below nominates, constitutes and
appoints Donald F. Crumrine, Robert M. Ettinger and Peter C.
Stimes (with full power to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-
in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his place and
stead in any and all capacities, to execute any and all filings on
Form 4 (Statement of Changes of Beneficial Ownership of
Securities) pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended ("Form 4 Filings") with respect to changes
of beneficial ownership of securities of FLAHERTY &
CRUMRINE/CLAYMORE TOTAL RETURN FUND
INCORPORATED (the "Fund"), and to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, The New York Stock Exchange and
the Fund such Form 4 Filings, granting unto said attorney, full
power and authority to do and perform certain acts and things
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as
fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned himself might
or could do.

	IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto
set his hand this 23rd day of February, 2004.



/s/ David Gale
Name: David Gale
Title:   Director, Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund
Incorporated


EXPIRES:  February 28, 2005


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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