Not that Barack Obama needs a bailout, but he could use $50 million a month

Barack Obama’s fund-raising operation crushed all others for most of the 2008 campaign. He raised twice as much as Republican John McCain.

But a new analysis suggests that the Democrat could face a money shortfall in the campaign's final weeks.

Democratic and Republican candidates raised a stunning $1.22 billion during the primary season, which ended when the parties held their conventions and nominated their candidates. That is 81% more than the 2004 presidential candidates, the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute noted.

Led by Obama, Democratic candidates raised $787 million to the Republicans' $477 million. Obama had $77.4 million in the bank at the end of August, compared with McCain's $27 million.

But in the general election, party fund-raising becomes more important -- and the Democratic National Committee lags behind the Republican National Committee. The DNC had $17.7 million in the bank at the end of August, compared with the RNC’s $76.5 million.

Added to the mix, McCain opted to receive $84 million in federal money to run his general election campaign. With that money, the Campaign Finance Institute calculates, McCain and the RNC had $187.6 million to Obama's and the DNC’s $95.1 million, a $92-million gap as the general election began.

“Even if Democratic Party committees match their Republican counterparts’ efforts for the presidential race in September and October, Obama will have to raise around $50 million a month for his forces to equal the combined Republican/McCain total,” the institute says.

Of course, Obama has raised more than $50 million in many months, and topped out at roughly $66 million in August.

--Dan Morain

Comments

[John Quimby]

$66 Million in August.
500,000 new donors.

What was your point again?

[Oregon4Obama]

Obama will get it.....I think people realize again, that this election is not about color its about competence, its not about gender its about agenda.....Its not American Idol its the American President we are electing.....

Tonights debate will expose both Men and show their plans and philosophies on how to put America back on track

[When Elephants Fly (http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com)]

I wonder how much of the RNC money will actually go to McCain -- even many of his Republican colleagues are sensing that this guy is off his rocker. Meanwhile Obama did not have to rely on taxpayer money to fund his campaign, and he has literally millions of donors. Comments welcome: http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com

[Ronald Olson]

Obama yea1 He'll stop the oceans from rising the storms from ravishing our lands. He'll pull money from his magic pouch and shower it upon us. Where he walks all will kneel down in respect. Our only labor will be daily praise to his august presence. Yea Nobama.

[Garp53]

I'm with blogger Ron Olsen.....Why should we pay any attention to Obama and his obviously delusional supporters when everything is going SO well after 8 years of Republican "control".....One would have to actually read and understand the issues at hand to vote for Senator Obama and that's just not the way Republicans do things... It's ever so much easier to say inane, meaningless and irrelevant things ( much like the republican candidate ), so I say let's vote for John McCain so we can remain ignorant and proud of it....

[DBCooper]

M T Suit has been forced to vote something other that "present" twice in this campaign. He selected Mispoken Joe over Hillary for VP and he opted out of the federal money. I report, you decide.