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Obama Raised a Record $750M

Dem's haul of $750 million dwarfs McCain funds, historical precedent

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 5, 2008 8:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama literally raised more money for his campaign than he knew what to do with. He hauled in a record $750 million over the course of the campaign cycle, reports the New York Times. When the race ended, $30 million remained unspent. By comparison, John McCain raised $220 million in the primaries, about half of Obama's total, before opting for public funding in the general election.

In the last two months of the campaign, Obama outspent McCain on advertising, $170 million to $61 million. Though the Republican National Committee was tapped as a counterweight, it only added $31 million on McCain’s behalf. Obama’s leftover funds and ability to put together a huge war chest from fancy fundraisers and small donors alike pose a daunting obstacle for 2012 challengers.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Phil Lesh performs during a fundraising concert for presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama in San Francisco, on Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at North Carolina Central University during a fundraising visit in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

The Obama campaign raised $750 million in 2007 and 2008. (Flickr)

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Assuming Obama runs again and his fund-raising prowess is sustained, then it will be a daunting undertaking for any opponent. - Kenneth Gross, campaign finance lawyer

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

Shannonals

Dec 9, 2008 8:33 PM CST

More rantsing by another nutcase sitting in his parents basement. Both nominees for the Presidential race and Senate seats had unusual donations, but to single out a single person is just another reflection of sour grape from a GOP supporter

Greatbear100

Dec 6, 2008 3:40 AM CST

The media and many people seem to dismiss the FEC discovering many illegal donations, secrfeet donations and millions in what appears to have come from foreigners which is against the law. Obama as usual failed to respond to questions raised by the FEC and demand to return contriutions which were ilegal were slow to find their way back to donors and still not all has been returned so Obama had the use of ilegal funds when he needed it. There are many questionable contributions screamming out for an audit but it appears the FEC is gioing to allow Obama to slide. Obama has set a pattern of how to raise large amounts and disregard the FEC and campaign fund raising regulations so in the future a politician would be a fool to accept public funding with it's limitations. The FEC by not auditing is condoneing the raising of illegal contributions by the Presdient elect.

maevealleine

Dec 5, 2008 2:57 AM CST

It's called people "voting with their dollars"

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Obama Raised a Record $750M