Obama campaign raises almost $43 million
Washington (CNN) - Exceeding the expectations some Democrats had set, the Obama re-election campaign raised $42.8 million in the period running from July through the end of September, an Obama campaign aide told CNN.
Overall, the campaign announced Thursday it and the Democratic National Committee brought in more than $70 million in the third quarter of fundraising.
Some Democratic sources had earlier said they expected the combined total to be $55 million.
The $42 million figure most likely will be close to or exceed the total raised by all of the Republican presidential candidates together for this quarter.
Campaigns have to report their amounts to the Federal Election Commission by Saturday. The Obama campaign and the DNC raised an record breaking $86 million in the last fundraising quarter that ended in June.
During the most recent quarter the Obama team had to deal with questions about whether key constituencies of the Democratic base were fully supporting President Obama, especially after a bruising fight over raising the nation's debt ceiling which resulted in an agreement that angered many in the progressive movement. The weak economy also made it more difficult for all of the campaigns to raise funds during this time.
The president had to cancel several fundraising events to stay in Washington due to the debt ceiling fight.
Obama unveiled his jobs proposal last month and displayed a more aggressive stance toward congressional Republicans - moves that were applauded by many Democratic activists.
"You know why it's important to engage right now. We're up against a Republican Party and special interest-funded groups that will spend hundreds of millions of dollars spreading any message that they believe will defeat the President and roll back our efforts to build a fairer economy that rewards hard work and responsibility, not large corporations," campaign manager Jim Messina said Thursday in an email to supporters announcing the figures.
From July to September the Obama team reported that 606,000 people donated to the campaign - more than in the second fundraising quarter between April and June when it set a record for the number of donors. And it said of the 766,000 donations, 98% were $250 or less – a key figure as it tries to keep attracting the small donors who were a major driver for the 2008 campaign.
"If I could sum up this last quarter in a few words: You came through. Thank you," Messina said.
One of the ways the campaign tried to woo small donors was to sponsor a contest with the prize being a dinner with Obama.
Overall, the campaign said since the president announced his re-election bid this spring, almost 983,000 individuals made donations, with 258,000 of them making their first contribution.
"So getting to a million grassroots donors isn't just a huge accomplishment this early in the campaign," Messina said in the release. "It's our answer to our opponents, the press, and anyone who wants to know whether the President's supporters have his back."
The Republican National Committee responded to the new totals by attacking the president over job creation.
"It's no secret President Obama spends a lot of time fundraising and is the most successful fundraiser in history. Obama's problem is he can't replicate that success when it comes to creating jobs," RNC Spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said in an email. "This president is going to need every penny he can raise because voters don't believe he has the ability to turn the economy around or create much-needed jobs."
- CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin contributed to this story.
- Follow Kevin Bohn on Twitter: @KevinBohnCNN.
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When you look at the republican party, which is in the pockets of Wall Street, big oil, the Kochs, the turd blossom Rove, who represent the 1% against the 99%, I think our president will pick up a lot of the 99% support.
Obama is the only candidate who will help us 99%ers.
I gave money to the Obama campaign and will continue to do so. Time to sweep these Republican clowns and their TEA (Traitors Exploiting America) out of power.
So getting to a million grassroots donors isn't just a huge accomplishment this early in the campaign," Messina said in the release. "It's our answer to our opponents, the press, and anyone who wants to know whether the President's supporters have his back."
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You got our back Mr. President and we've got yours!!!
WE'RE IN!
I proudly stand by and support our duly elected President Barack Hussein Obama.
I mocked out of presdient obama cause people acorn are like support cheat vote of presdient obama so people want him get out of presdient obama cause he still weak of his ecommony
The $42 million figure most likely will be close to or exceed the total raised by all of the Republican presidential candidates together for this quarter
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Um, actually that would be $42.8 million ;)!
This is another 'selfish tax hike' (pun) on the middle class at a time when they can least afford it. Have a heart obama stop squeezing the ones who love you. Why not thank them and return the money saying, 'if I must win it will be on my record, it will be unfair to you and the american people to use your money 'to buy' the election?' 'To Buy' in this case is a relative term it could mean 'spending it on'.
Tax the money raised at a rate of , oh, 95%. That's seems fair.
He can build a 45 million bank roll pretty fast......go figure....maybe he should hand it out to the people that really need it.
obama – biden 2012!
Gee, I guess all those rich Liberals are holding their money, instead of paying the higher taxes they keep talking about...
all of his campaign money is coming from big corps and we all know this. americans are not with this president. he could have had a smaller deficet if crony cap wasnt part of him like solyndra ans son.
End Money Lobbying
end PAC's Large Donations
End Large Money Donations to Parties and/or Politicians
You just raise a lot of money.So Obama how many Rich Men and Corporations feed you, huh ?
I doubt very much I will vote for another Democrat or Republican again.This Country just might be a better place if both of these Parties imploded and disappeared into the History Books.
A Big Thanks from us Americans to Washington for ruining this land with your STENCH.
Pathetic – how we 'the people' have allowed our 'system' to become one of DOLLARS FIRST, popularity second, and apathy third . . . 'nuff said.
70 million dollars. For an elected official to re-run for office. Disgusting.
I so appreciate President Barack Obama and his administration for all they are doing for the greatest Country on Earth, the Good ole USA. People that say differently just aren't reading up on "everything" getting opinions from both sides of the isle, they are only taking their cues from the ignorant lying scoundrels in the Media...shame shame Media, for allowing people to sit in front of you and tell a bold face lie, and you not call them out on it right then and there. How's that Hope & Change working for ya, JUST FINE thank you for asking !
Obama / Biden 2012
Well I guess all the hype about his approval ratings are just that...hype! Seems like he still has many supporters.
We here in England have seen your plans and your vision for the future. if we've had a leader like you, the eu would not be in this predicament. Good Luck in your Re-election.
"Come to the edge," Barack Obama said.
The American voters replied, "But, we're AFRAID!"
"Come to the edge," He patiently replied.
"We CAN'T!" the people exclaimed.
"YES, you CAN!" Barack convincingly responded.
They came; he pushed them...and they FLEW!
No more FEAR!
America will vote again for Barack Obama in November 2012
We Citizens vote Democrats, get punched in the face, We Citizens vote Republican, get punched in the face. American Voters are stuck in an Abusive Relationship. BREAK THE CYCLE VOTE INDEPENDANT
Even though I have had some disappointments with the President, overall, I think he has done a good job in a VERY difficult economic and political climate. I will back him 1000% over pretty much any of those clowns who are fighting over the GOP nomination (Huntsman was a bit of a curiosity to me, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a prayer. He's too intelligent for that nomination).
Does anyone else see the irony of this? He can raise $43 Million for his campaign but not resolve the debt bomb crisis. There is your 1%.
Got some corporate sugar daddy's your going to answer to, IF you get reelected.
"The president had to cancel several fundraising events to stay in Washington due to the debt ceiling fight."
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. Cry me a socialist river.
Mostly overseas donations.