Obama, McCain, parties level the playing field; candidates on equal financial footing

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: NYT/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For all Barack Obama's remarkable fundraising and sizable surplus, the Democratic presidential nominee entered the final two months of the presidential contest on virtually equal financial footing as Republican rival John McCain.

According to finance reports filed in the past two days with the Federal Election Commission, Obama and the Democratic National Committee ended August with $95 million in the bank. McCain and the Republican National Committee ended with about $94 million.

The parties are crucial players in the general election, coordinating some activities with the candidates while also spending independently to help them. Both sides also distributed money to state party committees to assist in the race.

Obama is bypassing the public financing system for presidential contests. That burdens him with the continuing need to raise money. McCain has decided to accept $84 million in public financing -- and the spending limitations that go with it.

But both men have chosen distinct money paths that seem suited to their circumstances....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Campaign-Money.html

[psychmommy]

1. i will be sending o a contribution.

i will be sending dr dean some $ too.

[livelongandprosper]

2. Why is the DNC doing so badly when Repubs are so unpopular?

Without Obama's network the Dems would be doomed this year. I just don't get it.

[alfredo]

3. The RNC still has Robber Baron money coming in. Those who know

there will be regulation of their sectors by Dems will give to the RNC.

[WePurrsevere]

5. Think about it.... Democrats mostly represent

the middle & lower income levels; the disabled & seniors; and the average John/Jan American. We tend to donate smaller amounts & "the widows mite" (often a dollar or so at a time) but many of them so it adds up.

Other then the truly stupid and/or crazy backwash types the RePIGliCONs tend to represent large corporations & the majorly rich who tend to donate money thousands of dollars at a time in the hope that the RePIGliCON will protect and cover their A$$ets so they don't need as many donors to get the same amount.

Oh and welcome to DU, may the time you spend here educate and enlighten you. :)

[grannie4peace]

4. that's a fucking shame!!!

[4lbs]

6. Huh?!?!? This AP article doesn't jive with the other AP article...

that shows that Obama is +$50 million over McCain.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Is the diff that this article combines party funds? nt

[4lbs]

8. That might be it. The other one dealt only with Obama and McCain's funds, not DNC and RNC.

n/t

[Tempest]

9. They're including the RNC's portion, which is greater than McSame's

What the article doesn't point out is that the national committee's money is also for state races.

On the state level, Democrats are out fund-raising the Repugs by a big margin.

Unless the RNC plans to abandon the state races, they will have to spend a significant amount on those races and not on McSame. The DNC doesn't have to do this as much and can spend on Obama.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Thanks for that info, Tempest. nt