Obama Sets Fundraising Record

Barack Obama continues to shatter fundraising expectations, having netted “at least $32.5 million in the second quarter, the highest amount ever raised by a Democratic candidate, topping the first quarter fund-raising and exceeding predictions from rival Hillary Clinton’s campaign for her take in the same period.”

In a statement, Obama’s campaign they received money from over 154,000 donors in the quarter, up from 104,000 donors they cited in the first quarter. The campaign said it raised “at least” $31 million in the second quarter in primary money, and a total counting general election funds of $32.5 million. In a surprising first quarter performance, the Illinois Democrat raised $25.7 million, worth $24.8 million going to the primary campaign.

Obama said in the statement, “Together, we have built the largest grassroots campaign in history for this stage of a Presidential race. We now have hundreds of thousands of Americans who are ready to demand health care for all, energy independence, and an end to this war in Iraq. That’s the kind of movement that can change the special interest-driven politics in Washington and transform our country. And it’s just the beginning.”

Now, if the Clinton campaign is smart — and I think they are — they probably reported modest preliminary totals so that the numbers they eventually release will exceed expectations. It wouldn’t surprise me if Clinton actually raised even more than Obama.

Still, these numbers are undeniably impressive. Obama has come from seemingly nowhere to put together a strong organization and make himself the main alternative to Clinton, despite the advantages that other rivals, most notably former vice presidential nominee John Edwards, seemingly had.

I continue to have a hard time seeing Obama get the nomination with his thin resume and the nomination remains Clinton’s to lose. He’s got the resources to make a game of it, though, and it’s going to be hard for anyone else to catch him if Clinton stumbles.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. floyd says:

    “Together, we have built the largest grassroots campaign in history for this stage of a Presidential race.”
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    What a load!! This man does not exist! He is a total fabrication of the cynical types that actually run the DNC.
    “Change the special interest-driven politics”,indeed!!… Pshaw!! The strings on this marionette will still be securely attached long after the election, when “Citizen Barack” is firmly ensconced in the oval office.
    IT’S A COOK BOOK!!