More Than 442,000 Donors Help Obama Raise Over $40 Million in MarchCHICAGO, IL-Senator Barack Obama's campaign announced today that more than 442,000 contributors across the country gave more than $40 million in March. More than 218,000 donors contributed to the campaign for the first time, and the average contribution level was $96.
"Senator Obama has always said that this campaign would rise or fall on the willingness of the American people to become partners in an effort to change our politics and start a new chapter in our history," campaign manager David Plouffe said. "Today we're seeing the American people's extraordinary desire to change Washington, as tens of thousands of new contributors joined the more than a million Americans who have already taken ownership of this campaign for change. Many of our contributors are volunteering for the campaign, making our campaign the largest grassroots army in recent political history."
March Fundraising by the Numbers
Total Raised in March: More than $40 million
Contributors in March: More than 442,000
First-Time Contributors in March: More than 218,000
Average Contribution: $96
Total Contributors to Date: More than 1,276,000
Another important note, according to the Politico:
Wolfson also said Clinton's fundraising totals would be out when the filings are due, around April 20.
What does this mean?
We know that Obama raised at least $40 million, probably a couple million above this. Further the average donation was under $100, so it is likely that 95+% of the money will be available for the primaries.
Estimates that we have heard suggest that the Clinton campaign likely raised just under $20 million dollars. If they are not releasing their numbers until April 20th(ish), their numbers are likely not very good.
I would expect that the Clinton campaign has raised under $20 million and that 1/3 of that money is for the general election. The only reason the Clinton campaign would sit on their fundraising numbers is the worry that superdelegates would flee from a sinking ship. Not releasing your numbers is not a sign of confidence.