McCain, GOP raise more in May

WASHINGTON – John McCain and the Republican Party won a fundraising round from Democratic rival Barack Obama and his record-setting money machine in May, together raising a total of $45 million, some $20 million more than the Democrats.

But Obama, by raising $21.9 million, shattered the presidential fundraising record for the primary election season. In his first report to the Federal Election Commission since his unprecedented decision to spurn public funding for the fall campaign, Obama disclosed that he collected $287.5 million since entering the race last year.

President Bush held the previous primary-season record, raising $269.6 million en route to re-election in 2004.

The Republican National Committee, which brought in $24 million in May, far out-distanced the Democratic National Committee’s $4.7 million. With McCain’s $21.5 million, the GOP gained an overall edge for the month. The party committees devote nearly all of their funds to support their presidential candidates.

McCain has raised a total of $112 million so far and can raise and spend money until the primary season officially ends with the GOP convention in September. Because he agreed to accept public financing of the general election, McCain will be limited to $84.1 million in federal money during the roughly two-month campaign.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said that the GOP edge was “no surprise,” asserting that McCain’s acceptance of donations from lobbyists and political action committees gives him an advantage that only can be overcome “with the help of our grassroots supporters.”

But Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist, said he expects Obama’s fundraising power to be stunning.

“With the kind of (fundraising) lists that Obama’s got, the sky’s the limit,” he said, pointing to Obama’s massive donations via the Internet in recent months. “The small donor potential is just enormous.”