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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Obama raises more than $40 million

Posted: Thursday, April 03, 2008 10:07 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
The Obama campaign has issued a press release saying it raised more than $40 million in March. This amount is less than the $55 million it raised it February -- but it's still a significant haul.

The Obama press release...
CHICAGO, 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

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Comments

Say what....say what.....say what...............The American people are behind you...Congratulations Obama. People, realize that people don't go against an investment...the people are investing heavily in Obama with their time and money...so no matter what the stats show or what people predict..he will win the GE by a landslide!!!
OMG, more than I thought!

Proud to be one of the 218,000 (first-time contrib.) and they can expect more.

Yes we can!
I'm very proud to say that I'm one of the first time contributors for March!!  I will definitely contribute again!!

Typical Older White Woman for Obama, 08
Did you actually expect him to raise over 55 million every month?  talk about constantly moving the bar.  When anyone else comes close to his numbers let me know...better yet half of his numbers, constantly!!
Gee Barrack Obama you guys keep out doing us. First with votes,now with fund raising ,Super delegates. Hows a Girl supposed to get any votes around here.Can you loan my campaign some money?
   Love HillBilly
EAT THAT AND DIGEST IT BILLARY !
It's a TRAIN ... full steam .. YOU CAN'T STOP IT !

I feel sorry for you Bill and Hil  ... I'd shed a tear but I'm too busy Chanting -
YES WE CAN !
He must have some insider Washington machine behind him. Just what we need someone that Washington likes. You have to ask yourself what promises he has made to all of those Senators to make them go against their voters. The backroom deals are hot and heavy in the Obama campaign.
Amazing. It's certainly easy to tell from these numbers, most importanly including the number of new donors to the campaign, that the people of America have bought into Obama's call for change in our country.
YES WE CAN!!!

Obama 2008
Go Obama!
just think of all the good things that money could be doing i don't understand the american peoples way of thinking anymore  what happened to the good people of the sixties who worked together against nonsense such as this
UNSTOPABLE BABY!


Obama 08!!!!!
People driven not washington driven. Thats what we need. Go Obama.
I think this says it all, HRC is in debt and going down fast

Newton in Ohio
MONEY TALK$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SO HILLBILL SHOULD WALK
Amazing!! I wonder how much Hillary loaned herself this time to close the gap
When Howard Wolfson and Mark Penn start launching into their OH SO PREDICTABLE spin that "Barack is the candidate of big money" and "He's just buying this election", etc,etc,etc, how many reporters are going to have to put their phone on mute in order to laugh.  We KNOW how they're going to try to spin this but it's so pathetic and it'll be yet another LIE from the Clinton campaign.
Then they don't need taxpayer bailouts from the rest of us...those contributors I mean
Wow! That's going to be hard to beat.
Drip Drip Drip.........
Pretty impressive. Wonder if Clinton got to $20 million, and how much debt she's carrying.
that is amazing. thank you America. Obama '08
Go OBama!!! you have really earned the nomination and deserve the nomination... you are a "once in a lifetime leader"!!!
Pretty darn impressive considering this was clearly his toughest month.  I would also bet that most of this money is primary money.

I'm still waiting for a whole lot of numbers from the Clinton campaign.  Where are the tax returns, earmarks, library donors, foundation donors and how much did she raise in March?
It is striking to me that the HRC campaign keeps bringing up the issue of electability with superdelegates when the fact is, the numbers seem to suggest that it is HRC who cannot even be elected since she has won fewer races, fewer delegates, and less of the popular votes. Please explain the rational thought process that gives you a win in the bigger race when you did not win in the smaller one.

Just wondering...
Really thats breaking news...alright.  That doesn't mean anything if he can't poll better then her on average.  Something is wrong with someone that can't seal the deal or poll higher when they compete against someone with such high negatives.  With all the breaking news about people wanting change you might want to break some news that people want experience as well.  I believe this election is split down the middle, because on one hand you have two candidates that break the glass ceiling, but I believe that makes them both hated by certain groups.  That is why we can pretty much map out where the votes will go, because both sides dislike the other side to a certain extent.  I believe we have two equally disliked candidates.
Keep going strong Obama, America is behind you.
----------------------------------------------------
OBAMA'S FUNDRAISING, ESPECIALLY FROM FIRST-TIME CONTRIBUTORS, IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HILLARY'S WAINING SUPPORT. --- DEMOCRATS ARE VOTING FOR OBAMA BECAUSE THEY ARE VOTING 'AGAINST' HILLARY. ---
A LITTLE KNOWN SECRET OF THE HILLARY CAMPAIGN IS THAT SHE IS RACKING UP VERY SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL DEBT WHICH COULD SERIOUSLY THREATEN HER ABILITY TO BE REELECTED IN NEW YORK. ... HER ONLY HOPE IS TO MAKE A DEAL WITH OBAMA FOR FINANCIAL HELP ... HILLARY'S END IS NEAR.
-----------------------------------------------------
If he could run the country the way he is running his campaign we all will be better off!!
Hats off to the next President of these United States - President Barack Obama!
This aspect of the campaign alone should validate that Obama is the "peoples" choice in this election cycle and that the average working class citizen is more than ready to do their part to take our country back. People should not fear their government, the government should fear the people.
This is absolutly WONDERFUL!!! I really think America is ready for a change.


OBAMA 08'
Um, yes it is a significant haul.  First Read, isn't it the second highest fundraising total in primary history?  He's like Tiger Woods; taking down all the records.
Dang! this make want to send my next to last 96 dollars in to be part of this movement.
Looks like there are more than a few people who really want change.
WOW!!!!!!  That is amazing!!!
I was a contributor and I live in her senate district.

What is Hillarys haul?
And since we are talking money- where are her tax returns, etc??

YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!
NO SHE CANT!!!!
WOW!!!!
Wow!  I am so impressed.  These numbers show strong support and commitment for this candidate.  I think this guy has a real shot, huh?! (smile)
We give to Sen. Obama's campaign because he is the candidate with integrity, who loves our country and wants to put an end to our lobbyist-big business run government.  We Americans need SOLUTIONS to high oil prices (wind power, solar energy, more energy efficient vehicles, safe nuclear energy), healthcare(not socialized medicine), education (more grants, less loans, etc.), and an eventual end to this awful war. This is the time...

OBAMA, 2008!  
It shows how smart the American people are, to not judge a person by their church members but by themselve's.

Integrity and trust will come to the White house again!!!
Clinton:  Raises money in Beverly Hills (per today's schedule)

Obama: Raises over $40 million at less than $100 per contributor from normal Americans

Hillary and Obama should pool their money together and start campaigning against McCain!
I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW THE ETHNIC AND RACIAL BREAKDOWN OF THE DONORS....... then we can see if he got passed JEREMIAH WRIGHT and RACE.
Most of the donors came from black church parishioners....... I'm just saying.
I know this is all great  but I urge to you read your Bible beginning with the Anti christ.  Then maybe we will wake up...
OBAMA!!  The youth of today has decided to create a better world for our future, and Barack is the President we've chosen.
Go Obama!! This shows that the American people are fed up with the way our country is operating. It needs to be changed.  Hillary Clinton is a prime example of political tactics that is alarming.
Excellent news.

I think I'll throw in a few more dollars this afternoon.

If we all chip in a bit, we can get this done.
My husband and I are proud to be one of the 1,276,000  people who donate a little of our hard earned money now and then. We do it because we believe in the power of people coming together to affect change in America. We do it because we're tired of political dynasties that benefit themselves first and everyone else last.

Not much of a downturn in Fundraising for Barack in March.This shows the Wright contraversey was Only a Blimp & won't be a factor this fall.American voter's are past Gotcha Politic's(this time at least)& want our elected representatives to get America moving in the Right direction.

Barack Obama for President!
Americans vote with their dollars... what I think is most significant is the number of individuals who are donating not to mention the number of people that are donating for the first time.
That's right!  The people are back in politics; so politicians be afraid, very afraid.  We are sending you guys a loud message that we will no longer accept your crap! We have a vote and we plan on using it wisely this time.


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