Obama Raises 'Stunning' $55 Million In February

From The Hill ~ Sen. Barack Obama’s (Ill.) campaign announced Thursday that it raised a stunning $55 million in February, again besting Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.).

The Obama campaign said it collected $55 million in primary funds in a month that saw the Illinois senator string together 11 victories in a row after Super Tuesday on February 5.

Clinton, who finally stopped that streak with three wins Tuesday night, raised $35 million in February, a record for her campaign.

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Clinton, Giuliani Raise Most From Oklahomans

Hillary Clinton, riding the wave of an August Tulsa fundraiser, is now the presidential candidate with the most money raised in Oklahoma this year. With $135,764 raised in the third quarter, she boosted her annual total to $434,704, topping John Edwards by more than $53,000.

The previous leader in Oklahoma, Senator Barack Obama, dropped to third with $370,279 and raised just $18,764 in the quarter.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the top Republican, at $329,345, but had the best third quarter of any candidate. With fundraisers in Tulsa and Ada in the period, Giuliani raised $163,850.

Edwards raised $114,251 in the quarter.

The Tulsa World reports that Democratic presidential candidates raised about $970,000 for the entire 2004 election cycle. All added, Oklahomans have contributed nearly $2 million for various presidential campaigns with the 2008 general election still more than a year away. Tulsans have given the lion's share, $673,003, with nearly one-third of that coming from a single midtown ZIP code -- 74114, the area that includes Philbrook Museum of Art and Utica Square. Contributors from that ZIP code have given $217,848, more than twice the next-highest total, Oklahoma City's 73116.

More than 70 percent of Tulsa contributions -- $476,246 -- went to Democratic candidates during the first nine months of 2007. Candidates reported $526,605 from Oklahoma City contributors, with more than 60 percent to Democrats.

Clinton's third-quarter donors included: George R. Kravis II, Tulsa businessman, $2,300; William E. Lobeck, Tulsa businessman and husband of Mayor Kathy Taylor, $2,300; state Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, Tulsa, $1,000; Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake Energy CEO, $2,300; Oklahoma Secretary of State and former Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage, $500; former Oklahoma Attorney General Larry Derryberry, $1,000.

Giuliani's third-quarter donors included: Oklahoma State University Athletic Director Mike Holder and his wife, Robbie, $2,300 each; Gary Sparks, Jenks architect, $4,600; Peter Walter, Tulsa Realtor, $2,300; Dewey Bartlett Jr., former Tulsa city councilor and oilman, $1,000; Stanley Lybarger, BOK Financial president, $500; Jay Helm, Tulsa real estate developer, $2,300; and John Brock, Tulsa oilman, $2,300.

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Obama Leads Oklahoma Money Parade; Presidential Candidates Pick Up $1.368 Million In The State

Democrat Barack Obama is Oklahoma's top presidential fundraiser, http://www.opensecrets.org/ reports today, and donors here have given a total of $1,368,276 to presidential candidates in both parties. All of the money totals are taken from current reports to the Federal Election Commission.

In Oklahoma, Obama has raised $326,000, followed by Hillary Clinton at $290,000, John Edwards at $261,000, Rudy Giuliani at $164,600, John McCain at $115,950, Mitt Romney at $61,000 and Bill Richardson at $53,600. Other candidates raised far less.

The totals show a distinct split in Democrat donations between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Obama swamped Clinton in Tulsa, $206,000 to $99,100. But in Oklahoma City, Clinton raised $135,750 compared to Obama's $99,731. John Edwards was second in Oklahoma City, at $135,500.

Overall, Obama outraised Clinton in the 2nd Quarter, $33.1 million to $27+ million, but trails her in total fundraising; Clinton has raised $63 million, Obama $58.9 million. Clinton leads in cash on hand, $45.2 million, to Obama's $36.2 million. Clinton has a debt of about $3 million, while Obama's is less than a million.

John Edwards raised $9.1 million in the 2nd quarter for a total of $23.1 million; he had $13.3 million on hand. Bill Richardson raised $7 million for a total of $13.3 million; he had $7.1 million on hand.

Romney leads Republicans. He raised $21 million for a total of $44.4 million. He has $12.1 million on hand and debt of $8.9 million. Giuliani raised $17.6 million for a total of $35.6 million; he has $18.3 million on hand and a debt of about $1.8 million. McCain raised $11.6 million for a total of $25.3 million; he has $3.2 million on hand and a debt of about $1.8 million.

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