April 3, 2008
Posted: April 3rd, 2008 01:00 PM ET

From
 Obama is close to breaking President Bush's fundraising record in 2004.
Obama is close to breaking President Bush's fundraising record in 2004.

(CNN) – The "over $40 million" the Obama campaign says it raised in March would put the total contributions the Illinois senator has raised in his presidential campaign at approximately $234 million - enough to surpass both the $200 million mark as well as the $215 million that 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry raised for that presidential primary season (then the Democratic record).

Obama is now just $25 million shy of reaching President Bush's overall record for presidential primary fundraising. In 2004, Bush raised a total of $259 million for his uncontested primary campaign.

The primary campaign season formally ends with the party conventions at the end of the summer.

Obama raised $194 million through the end of February. His official fundraising tally for the month of March is due to the Federal Election Commission by April 20.

Hillary Clinton raised $156 million through the end of February. Her campaign said Thursday it would not release her March totals until the filing deadline.

Filed under: Barack Obama • President Bush


Helen, NY   April 3rd, 2008 5:51 pm ET

Obama is a fraud

Susie   April 3rd, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Just one more thing Obama has in common with Bush–inexperience, popularity, and now the amount of money he has raised. 59M people voted for Bush in 2004 even though they knew he had justified war with lies. You would think this country would learn from its mistakes; but, apparently, we will not. How much damage will Obama have to do before the voters see him for what he is–an absolute zero.

Silvester   April 3rd, 2008 3:45 pm ET

Interesting comparison. Bush maybe has proven that if you have "bought" a President he will not be a success. Advertising money shouldn´t matter when a candidate is elected. That´s not democracy, is it....?

Tex   April 3rd, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama! And the donations just keep flowing in!

RealityKing   April 3rd, 2008 2:09 pm ET

One of these candidates is going to owe an awful lot of thank yous..
This is why big money controls America. Surprise!

Sue   April 3rd, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Yeah, but Obama got his from $35 from people like me instead of thousands from the people like the owner of Blackwater, like Bushy did.

Yolanda /San Antonio, Tx   April 3rd, 2008 2:08 pm ET

I would like to know once the primary elections are over..what happens to the money that's left over? will it get circulated through the economy or utlized to help fund some of the programs he has introduced throughout his campaign?

Kentucky   April 3rd, 2008 2:07 pm ET

I guess a lot of people can be bought –but not me. Go Hillary!

Jane   April 3rd, 2008 2:07 pm ET

As president he will be also close to Bush record.

Justin -NC   April 3rd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

We'll beat Bush's record... Yes We Can....Si Se Puede!
Too bad Hillary can't report her earnings, I guess its not fundraising reporting time, just like its not tax time, even though I already filed and got my check two weeks ago! No more lies Billary, RELEASE YOUR TAX RETURNS!

Obama 08.

therealist   April 3rd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Just image how many families could have had health care this year with those contributions, not to mention the reduced CO2 emissions..

Diane   April 3rd, 2008 2:05 pm ET

It is truly sad that so much money can be raised to help elect someone for president of a country that has so many starving, homeless, uninsured people. I don't care how much $$ Obama raises, I would not vote for him.

Hillary 08 !!!

FEDUP   April 3rd, 2008 2:05 pm ET

I hope all you Obama-bots know you are buying delegates. Your money paid Richardsons campaign bills for his presidential bid. LMAO

jj   April 3rd, 2008 2:04 pm ET

I really wish we would put a spending limit on elections. It is such a waste. All those millions could have fed so many in our country,.

vjh   April 3rd, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Ohhh, please don't compare Obama to Bush !

Jake, California   April 3rd, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Hillary always has some sort of reservation? does she think she's above any rule? What's so significant about tax dealine that she bases even her campaign fund release on that deadline!

Release your campaign fund figure Hillary, now!

and by the way, we still need the EARMARKS and your TAX RETURNS!

Sean McM   April 3rd, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Close to Bush in more ways than one:

HE IS A STRANGER AT THE NATIONAL DOOR, ASKING US FOR THE BLANK CHECKBOOK...........WHOA!!!

wE'VE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

dmw   April 3rd, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Well, money can't buy you everything, but, it may buy a racist, inexperienced, arrogant, MLK wannabe, 'I am the one', 'yes, we can', and 'change you can believe in' the Democratic nomination. It will not, however, buy him the Presidency.

sascha   April 3rd, 2008 2:00 pm ET

The difference between Bush and obama is that Obama gets the money by the American people, Bush has got the mony by Washington interests. And Obama will finally work for the American people...

Praetorian, Fort Myers   April 3rd, 2008 2:00 pm ET

This should be proof enough.

The worst President in U.S. history raised the most funds in U.S. history.

So...will Obama advance to the new worst–or just 2nd worst?

Conservative's really need to make their voices heard!! In graphical terms–this process is out of control!! First...way right....then way left.

HRC, it's over babe   April 3rd, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Nice to compare their money haul but don't make a mistake of comparing their intelligence....Obama towers way higher than McBush.

Funny   April 3rd, 2008 1:56 pm ET

Too much money means too much debts.

Bush is not a good president for people, but he surely is a successful president for his "debts-owner".

We want a president now to represent PEOPLE.

Adam in Indy   April 3rd, 2008 1:55 pm ET

Proving once again... Politics as Usual.

The Austrian   April 3rd, 2008 1:54 pm ET

The obscene amount of capital it takes to even compete in an election is sickening. The lobbyists will ever be the puppeteers of our government so long as this need for cash is a priority.

Charlotte   April 3rd, 2008 1:53 pm ET

You would think with Obama out spending Clinton 4 to 1 he would be way ahead, guess money can't buy everything. I have every confidence in Hillary, none in Obama. I will write in her name rather then vote for Obama, or McCain. Unless we can get a major movement going, McCain will be the next President. I know a lot of people who will do the same. Unless we can get every Clinton supporter to go along, McCain will benefit from such action, but oh well, at least he won't be an empty suit. We lasted 8 years we can last another 4. Michelle said, she won't go through this again. Obama gets his directions from her, so I'm counting on it.

Linda   April 3rd, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Shows you where his support is coming from. We will once again be a nation of one party, only this time it will be the Obama party. What a bore.

Lou   April 3rd, 2008 1:52 pm ET

I gladly give to the Obama campaign because I love the idea that the people are paying for his election...not the lobbyists...not the old money democrats...not the big corporations. When he is president, the only people he will owe is us.

cyp   April 3rd, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Obama will not only overtake George Bush for the money
He will also overtake Geoge Bush for the title
of the WORST PRESIDENT

joann   April 3rd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Gee Obama's so wonderful; he is god himself; so charming and charasmatic and elloquent!! Blahhhh, give me a break – I'm all Obama'd out!!

Charlotte   April 3rd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

Hillary has a least two big fundraisers scheduled. I will contribute today. Go Elton, Go Beverly Hills, Go Hillary!!!

ART in TX   April 3rd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

His fundraising skills are amazing. It's further testament that the people really do support him and yes, he can (and will) when in Nov.

sw   April 3rd, 2008 1:49 pm ET

overall, he is just another Bush.

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