The Money Game - June

June Fund raising numbers are now in for both sides. McCain raised 22 million, Obama 52 million. The average Obama donation was $68 showing the power of having 2 million small donars who can give over and over.

Of the 52 million only 2 million will be put aside for the general campaign after the conventions. It was speculated in June that Obama might raise 100 million. Although that proved to lofty a goal the 52 was much better than the 30 reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this week. Any doubt that Obama was having fund raising problems is gone now.

Senator McCain raised 22 million in June, his best month to date. While that number pales in comparison to Obama it was a good month especially given the lack of enthusiasm on the republican side.

If you believe these numbers are ominous for McCain heading into the fall, not to worry, The Republican National Committee has to date raised tens of millions virtually all of which will be used for the McCain presidential campaign. With the momentum clearly behind the democrats this fall the RNC has decided not to help Senate and Congressional candidates leaving them to what most analysts believe will be a slaughter. By putting all their eggs in one basket, the RNC believes it may be able to help McCain win the Oval Office thus salvaging something in a clearly tough year.

The DNC by comparison has had its difficulties raising money but their numbers improved in June. In contrast to the republicans the DNC plan to help out down-ticket Democrats with their congressional races. Even though the DNC hasn't raised a lot of money this season, democrats by and large are flush with cash. The momentum behind the democrats seems unstoppable at this point.

With the June numbers in, it appears Barack Obama's decision to raise his own general election money and forgo campaign finance was a good one. First, he will raise a lot more money than he otherwise could have, and second, with the RNC focusing all thier cash on the presidential race he's going to need it.