Obama Campaign Raises Over $51 Million In July

CHICAGO — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised more than $51 million in July and the Democratic National Committee reported $27.7 million in donations last month, putting Obama in a strong position for the fall campaign.

Obama began August with $65.8 million on hand and the DNC had $28.5 million available, according to statements released Saturday. His July total was slightly less than the $52 million he raised in June but still eye-popping because he was off the fundraising circuit at home during his trip to the Middle East and Europe.

Obama's Internet-powered fundraising efforts have shattered all previous records for a presidential campaign, bringing in a total of $390 million so far. The Illinois senator has announced he will forgo public financing for the general election, giving up $84 million in taxpayer dollars for the final two months of the campaign and committing himself to a steady pace of fundraising.

By contrast, Republican candidate John McCain has raised just $140 million and has agreed to accept public financing for the general election and the spending restraints that come with it. Unlike Obama, McCain will not feel the intense pressure to raise money in the fall.

Though lagging Obama in fundraising, McCain has remained competitive because of the Republican National Committee's success in attracting donations.

On Friday, McCain's campaign said the presumed GOP nominee had raised $27 million in July, his biggest monthly haul since clinching the party's nomination. McCain's campaign reported having $21 million available to spend.

The RNC said Friday it had brought in nearly $26 million in July and had $75 million on hand to compete with the Democrats. Much of that money has come through fundraisers by President Bush, unpopular nationally but still a potent draw among those who donate to the GOP.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Saturday that 65,000 new donors contributed to the Obama campaign in July and that more than 2 million had now given Obama money for his presidential bid. The large pool of donors also means a larger number of people to ask for more money in the future.

McCain's campaign said it has logged 600,000 donors.

Comments

[DemMD]

Is it just me, or does anyone else sort of "feel" this national ball of energy waiting to EXPLODE on November 4th!

[BabsfromKansas]

I travel a lot and do "unofficial" polling in airport souvenir shops - the clerks always tell me 0 is hands-down outselling McBobblehead.

[johnnygoodwud]

our troops are donating 6-1 in favor of 'O'.

[DemMD]

I saw that, it is AWESOME!!!

[Collielady]

They're literally trying to buy their lives. Let's vote "O" for them, if nothing more.

[BGDiNLV]

Very true statement!!! Now that you put it that way,I will dig into the pocket a little more.Thank you!

[nellie]

Wow. I would not have thought to put it that way. We need to get our people home.

[srtjsrtj]

Sen. Obama's donors are the Gifts that Keep On GIving. Fired Up and Ready To Go

[rosal]

I really like these numbers. O. almost more than double McDazed's donation$. It shows the committement and enthusiasm for our candidate. I talked to a Repub friend of mine yesterday, he said he is not voting; he is really upset that Romney lost. I know there are lots like him, and it clearly shows with the donations. Now, if only the MSM were not the slaves of Corporate World, and would report with integrity, O. would be high on the polls right now. And this is assuming that pollsters would report also with integrity. I guess I am asking too much.

[BabsfromKansas]

Polls, schmolls - we don't need no steenkin polls!

[Heavenhelpusall]

Who answers their phone to unknown callers? Lonely folks, older folks, and those lacking caller ID - out of touch folks.

[BGDiNLV]

Yep,Its official.I am done with polls!! Anyone care to join me?

[Countdown09]

51 million!! Now we're talking!! How awesome is that!

[ebethgay]

Since there's a lot of donors on here today, I have to ask. Has anyone gotten the free Obama t-shirt that was offered with a $30 donation a few months ago?

[PAposter]

Wasn't that from MoveOn.org? I wasn't offered a free T-shirt from the Obama campaign, as far as I can recall.

[RiseHillary]

Moveon is offering a free 0 button.........

[demyellowdog]

I got mine last week. But I had also donated for the "green" O shirt, which hasn't yet come.

[rosal]

Are you talking about the one that says "I am part of a million"? Yes, I received it

[Hirnlego]

Top CEOs give 10 times more to McCain than to Obama

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/top-ceos-give-10-times-more-to-mccain-than-to-obama-2008-08-15.html

[PAposter]

...and they still can't out raise those of us sending in $50 or whatever we can afford.

[BabsfromKansas]

It shows that they know 0 will be good for the economy.

[rosal]

They are no fools, they know who is going to protect their interests over those of the people

[harriscrl3]

This is the kind of shortsightedness that these people think with. In the long run democrats are better for the economy than republicans. CEO's just care about hoarding money and putting it away in their accounts where they can cheat the govermnent and then their corporations get in trouble because of their GREED and then after giving them all those breaks they expect the same government to Use TAX PAYERS dollars coming from the 98% of the population to bail their sorry incompetent asses out of financial disaster that they get themeselves into because they are too selfish and greedy for their own good. SO its in their greedy self interst to give money to republicans but then when they are in trouble they run home like boys wanting their mommies to bail them out. Personally I think the govermnent should let them all sink. They should not be bailing out companies like Bear sterns let them go under on account of their greed and deceptive practices

Carol

[nellie]

2 million donors! And growing!

[bosshogg]

cokie wants to know what's the exchange rate of hawaii's currency to u.s. dollars............................

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Ha!

[IslandGyal]

That's funnee

[rosal]

And what language the people speak

[grumpygranny66]

bosshogg: Tell her to check the currency exchange.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

You are welcome O!

[BabsfromKansas]

Can't wait to see what is birthday brought in!

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

I know, right?! My mom donated in August too. Her first time ever.

$50 big ones. :)

[nellie]

I did the $47 for 47 thing. I hope they do a tally for the 4th.

[Bushed]

Still shrinking slowly as far as we know.

[BabsfromKansas]

Huh???

[nellie]

Just more inane negativity. It doesn't have to make sense. It just has to be dismal.

[nclayla]

Any stats in on Hilary's debt?

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

The Maverick can always sue his first wife like his momma did.

OR he can go on foodstamps to compete.

[Seattlelite]

Boy, this must really piss off those rich republicans who for way to long have purchased and owned our government.

[PAposter]

You are so right!

[wpiv926]

WE are the ones WE have been waiting for!!!!!!

[BabsfromKansas]

Power to the people!

[RiseHillary]

You think?

[nellie]

We are our own campaign reform initiative.

[BabsfromKansas]

"The Idaho Election Campaign Fund, for which Idahoans have checked boxes on their state tax returns since 1975 if they want to donate a dollar to a political party of their choice or to a general political campaign fund, this year is giving more money to the Democrats than the Republicans. The checks, which will be handed over to the parties in a ceremony tomorrow, total $35,540 for the Democrats and $30,891 for the Republicans.

It was the first time since 1994 that the Democrats have collected more than the Republicans from the checkoff fund. "

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/16/13451/2574/972/568566

[Citizen08]

Yesterday McSame was bragging how the Hilton ad helped him!

Oops! Showing Obama Respected in a positive way, while American Flags are being waved by our Allies is a Powerful message! mock him all you want, he is Well-Respected and represents the best of what America stands for! Strong World Relations Matter!

[ann1]

"Yesterday McSame was bragging how the Hilton ad helped him"

It's called old-age!