Obama raises $86 million — far more than GOP

[MrsPincince]

Three-month haul gives president a fundraising advantage over the Republican field seeking to challenge him in 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43737360/ns/politics-decision_2012/t/obama-raises-million-far-more-gop/

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama collected $86 million combined for his re-election campaign and the Democratic Party during the past three months, giving him a large fundraising advantage over the Republican field seeking to challenge him in 2012.

Obama raised more than $47 million and the Democratic National Committee brought in more than $38 million through the end of June, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said in a video posted early Wednesday. Obama's team had set a public goal of $60 million  combined.

The fundraising totals outpace Republicans, who have collectively raised about $35 million so far, although some candidates have yet to release their results.

At the same time in 2007, 10 Republican presidential hopefuls had raised more than $118 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Fundraising totals are often seen as a gauge of excitement about a candidate, and the money in Obama's coffers will help build a foundation for all-important advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts in next year's election.

Obama's advisors are anticipating a stiff challenge from Republicans amid rocky economic conditions. Obama has acknowledged he will need to re-energize supporters who were inspired by his message of hope and change three years ago but may be discouraged by the economy and the pace of change.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads the Republican field in fundraising, pulling in more than $18 million during the past three months. An independent fundraising group supporting Romney's presidential bid has raised $12 million this year.

Following Romney, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty collected $4.2 million and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman brought in $4.1 million, with about half coming from his personal wealth. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a favorite of the anti-tax tea party, has not yet released her fundraising totals.

Obama's advisers have told donors privately they hope to match or exceed the $750 million they raised in 2008.

Messina said more than 550,000 people donated money to the campaign during the first three months, a large increase from about 180,000 donors to Obama during the first half of 2007. The campaign has actively courted small donors, hoping to show that the president is in a good position for the 2012 campaign and capable of generating broad financial support

[sweetpea03]

I would love to know where all that money goes as well. I remember going online and seeing an article about a dinner event Obama was having with a bunch of big names to get campaign money. The price per plate for each attending was outrageous and I couldn't keep reading it because it just made me sick. I live right near a very poor city and volunteer at the hospital in that city. There are sooo many children and people who need help just to live, yet our president is spending how much just to try to get reelected. There needs to be a cap on how much money can be wasted on this(and if there is one, it needs to be lowered). I really hate the politics game with presidents. They really only try to get things done their first year in office, the next 3 years are spent trying to figure out the best way to campaign to become president again. There is something very wrong with that...  

[el_em_en_oh]

What happens to the money that left over AFTER the election is over and won/done?

Where does the EXTRA go?

[mikesimon]

I don't believe Obama had $75 million to put into his election campaign.

[Barb135]

Shouldn't they ALL be working on getting the country out of this mess, as opposed to worrying about campaign $?  This all goes back to whomever said the politicians don't give a rat's patooty about the American people --- it's all about getting elected.  

Didn't Obama spend something like $75 mil of his own $ for the 2008 election?  Maybe this $86 mil came from his own coffers too.........  

[allaboutmary]

I must say you both make excellent points and I somewhat agree....it's just that there's so much at stake here.  We do need some sort of campaign reform.  The money could probably pay for everyone's health care.  

[adgal]

Good for you!!!  I can speak from experience when I say that just a fraction of those dollars would help an awful lot of children.  I am always astounded when I read how much the US candidates spend to get elected.  Here, the amount they are allowed to raise/spend is limited to a fraction of what happens there.  I have to say, it's a rule I agree with.  Kind of levels the playing field a bit.  Presidency should not be purchased, don't you think?