WASHINGTON—Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has raised at least $100 million in August, The Associated Press has learned, hitting that mark for a third consecutive month with a fundraising prowess that has let him outraise President Barack Obama so far this summer.
The early numbers, which include money raised by the national Republican Party, will be publicly released next week. They were described by two people familiar with the figures who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal campaign matters.
The numbers were revealed on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., where delegates will nominate Obama for a second term. Federal records show that Romney and the GOP have pulled in more cash than Obama's re-election effort in May, June and July, including money collected by the Democratic Party.
It is usually difficult for a challenger to raise more money than an incumbent holding a major elective office, particularly in a presidential race.
The figures exclude tens of millions of dollars that outside "super" political action committees are pouring into the race to help Romney. Those groups have been largely bankrolled by wealthy Americans, thanks to changes in recent years that have loosened campaign-finance regulations.
The fundraising news further underscores the problem Obama's campaign may have in staying above water on the money side. While once a record-breaker—Obama raised a remarkable $750 million four years ago—the president's advisers are now publicly acknowledging the incumbent likely will be
outspent.
Obama and the Democratic Party have not released their August fundraising figures.
http://www.mercurynews.com/presidentelect/ci_21465484/romney-campaign-rnc-raise-100-million-august
The early numbers, which include money raised by the national Republican Party, will be publicly released next week. They were described by two people familiar with the figures who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal campaign matters.
The numbers were revealed on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., where delegates will nominate Obama for a second term. Federal records show that Romney and the GOP have pulled in more cash than Obama's re-election effort in May, June and July, including money collected by the Democratic Party.
It is usually difficult for a challenger to raise more money than an incumbent holding a major elective office, particularly in a presidential race.
The figures exclude tens of millions of dollars that outside "super" political action committees are pouring into the race to help Romney. Those groups have been largely bankrolled by wealthy Americans, thanks to changes in recent years that have loosened campaign-finance regulations.
The fundraising news further underscores the problem Obama's campaign may have in staying above water on the money side. While once a record-breaker—Obama raised a remarkable $750 million four years ago—the president's advisers are now publicly acknowledging the incumbent likely will be
outspent.
Obama and the Democratic Party have not released their August fundraising figures.
http://www.mercurynews.com/presidentelect/ci_21465484/romney-campaign-rnc-raise-100-million-august
