Obama fundraising nears $44M in April (VIDEO)
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks with David Mazza, left, and Casey Patten, co-owners of Taylor Gourmet, a sandwich shop in Washington on May 16, 2012. Obama is urging Congress to act on his “to-do list,” specifically highlighting the need to invest in small businesses and to stimulate new hiring.
President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign raised almost $44 million in April, campaign manager Jim Messina said in a YouTube video released today.
Messina praised the “grassroots” efforts of contributors, and said the average donation was $50.23, and 98 percent of pledges totaled less than $250.
“That makes our campaign different, and it’s how we’re going to build a winning organization across the country,” he said.
Messina said that Obama supporters must rally because the re-election campaign is under fire from the Republicans.
While reminding viewers the Democratic strategy is about positive comments, Messina also said “oil company executives” and special interest groups spent nearly $60 million in attack ads aimed at Obama this campaign cycle.
“One of the most important things we can do is get our arms around that fact this election is going to be close given the historic challenges this nation faced when the president first came into office.”
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Among other Obama campaign figures released today:
- 169,500 first-time donors in April
- nearly 2 million donors in this election cycle
- more than 437,000 total contributors in April
- hired 120 new staff
Last month’s figures – that include donations to the Obama campaign, Democratic National Committee and other fundraising arms – are less than last month, Reuters reported.
In March, Obama and his supporters collected more than $53 million for the November presidential election, a decline not lost on the GOP.
“Barack Obama is still the Fundraiser-In-Chief, but even he is struggling to sell the American people on his brand of hype and blame that has left millions without jobs, a struggling housing situation and record deficits and debt for future generations,” Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski told Reuters.
However, Obama’s totals don’t include a $15 million Hollywood dinner with George Clooney on May 10, The New York Times reported.
The Times also said Obama’s campaign has out-gained Romney’s efforts nearly 10-to-1; however, that was before Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich bowed out of the nomination race.
Romney has said he will raise $800 million to win the presidency, according to The Times.
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