Final Official Obama Fundraising Number -- a Record-Setting $745 Million

People:
This wasn't an election it was a movement. America FELT something. They didn't care to know any facts or reason. Even if he woulndn't have gotten all that money, he would have still won.

Of course he won because of the money and the corrupt media. Money talks.

You next story should be " Obama won because of the corrupt media"

I don't think the difference in money made much of a difference. I think the campaigns were not equally covered in the so-called press. McCain received a much better treatment all concerned.

The country is dead sick of the criminal nature of our representatives. This has gone to a monstrous extreme under the GW bush administration. I think this is the real reason Obama won combined with the horrendous way McCain ran his campaign and some brave Americans like Colin Powell. Racism was used by McCain in a slightly covered way but in the end was not effective enough to win. Campaign commercials varied in any real effectiveness.

I gave my money to Hillary Clinton, at a much lower investment, hence the Secretary of State role. Almost three-quarters of a billion dollars, it defies any logic. The Presidency is now totally out of reach of many qualified Americans, unless they have some type of advantage going in. I'm not sure why Obama became the darling of many early on, but he was no doubt advantaged in the world of the liberal elite (as is Hillary, just not quite to the same degree). The Republicans historically have held the money bags, now its a new game. This is a clear consequence to them for failing to follow the golden rule, and for not always doing the right thing.

jhw539:

Try looking at howobamagotelected.com and then tell me people knew any of the issues associated with Obama. He did nothing in his short time in Senate, associated with terrorists and anarchists, lied about accepting public financing and I could go on.
Take your finger and point it at your silly self. The are hundreds of thousands of very intelligent, competent and effective individuals who don't have a billion dollars to become President.

jhw539: Here is what Joe is talking about. The following a quote from a Politico Article:
"The Federal Election Commission is unlikely to conduct a potentially embarrassing audit of how Barack Obama raised and spent his presidential campaign’s record-shattering windfall, despite allegations of questionable donations and accounting that had the McCain campaign crying foul.

Adding insult to injury for Republicans: The FEC is obligated to complete a rigorous audit of McCain’s campaign coffers, which will take months, if not years, and cost McCain millions of dollars to defend.
jhw539Obama is expected to escape that level of scrutiny mostly because he declined an $84 million public grant for his campaign that automatically triggers an audit and because the sheer volume of cash he raised and spent minimizes the significance of his errors. Another factor: The FEC, which would have to vote to launch an audit, is prone to deadlocking on issues that inordinately impact one party or the other – like approving a messy and high-profile probe of a sitting president."

We will never know who made most of these donations. Period. No Transparency, just like Iran.

1 billion divided by 3.95 million contributors = average of 200$ per contributor.

212000 repeat contributors averaged 490 per contributor to make 104 million for final election day.

David: "So it isn't true then. Not anyone in America can become President. Only those who can raise a near billion dollars. "

What a silly comment. Of COURSE not 'anyone' can become President. As the polls indicate Gov Palin proved, the majority of Americans strongly want the most competent, effective, and intelligent leader. The current administration, from Katrina to Iraq, has driven home the folly of pandering to the "I want a Joe Sixpack for President" foolishness.

joe zappulla: "Does anyone care where the money came from???? Why isn't there an audit of his donation sources."

Anyone who cares has hit the FEC's reports. Perhaps you should define what you mean by "audit." I suspect you do not have a full grasp of the extent of current reporting.

What a hard worker! We value that here in America. Don't stop raising money, Obama.

Campaign finance reform of the kind McCain and the Republicans (all of a sudden) want are a joke, and it would've been foolish for the president elect to agree to them. It doesn't cost much for the typical Republican campaign to get their message across. All you need is a 10-second spurious allegation. To refute those allegations *and* get your own message across takes longer, however, as an ad saying 'no I didn't' won't cut it... which McCain knows.

That's what this last campaign season would've looked like, though, if McCain had had his way. Luckily, Mr. Obama wasn't that naive after all.

So it isn't true then. Not anyone in America can become President. Only those who can raise a near billion dollars. How many meals or homes would that buy? Why didn't Obama redistribute that money to the less fortunate instead of just yours and mine? Why did Obama turn off the system that all buisinesses use to identify the donors on his online creditcard donations? Where's the transparency here?

I'm all for campaign reform that keeps a few special interests and very, very rich people from buying power and access. I'm also in favor of the way Barack did business. Many, many givers who will never get nor expect face time.

Limiting everyone to the same amount? Don't think so. We voted with our pocketbooks.

I am loving the irony of watching Repubs bellyache about being outfundraised and outspent.

Does anyone care where the money came from???? Why isn't there an audit of his donation sources. Buying the White House is not one of our Constitutional rights.

looks like the restrictions on campaign finance for individuals did not limit how much could be raised.

seems like the limits actually helped raise more money.

PWNED!

Seven-hundred forty five million dollars! ($745,000,000). What a waste. Here's a suggested reform for the remainder of the 21st century. Limit everyone to the same (moderate and reasonable) amount of money for primaries and elections, say $83 million at most (the amount of public financing that John McCain reportedly received). Period. Provide limited, broadcaster-funded equal airtime for all campaign commercials for all candidates from all the parties after the primaries and until the elections. How do Presidential candidates sleep at night when such huge sums of money are being spent just to build the case for them to be elected? Doesn't anyone have any shame anymore? I guess not.

Do these figures include Obama merchandise sales? Just curious if that counts as donations.

Wow and all this while our country is in a recession, giving away money and while Mr. Obama was lying repeatedly in a historic campaign.

Do these figures include Obama merchandise sales? Just curious if that counts as donations.