Obama Goes On Pricey Fundraiser Spree

In the wake of Senator Barack Obama's decision last month to bypass public financing for the general election, his campaign is embarking on a spree of pricey fund-raising events across the country.

As Mr. Obama shattered fund-raising records over the last year and a half and collected nearly $300 million, much of the attention has been on his army of small contributors over the Internet. He cited that broad base of small-dollar donors in justifying his decision to reverse his pledge to take part in the public financing system if his opponent did as well.

But Mr. Obama's stepped-up schedule of big-money fund-raisers -- the campaign has more than a dozen events planned over the next two weeks -- showcases a formidable high-dollar donor network that is gaining more heft with an influx of former supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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