$52 Million

There had been some signs that Barack Obama's fundraising might be falling short of what the campaign needs to implement its strategy, but with the news that they raised $52 million in June that doesn't seem to be the case. Still, it's worth pointing out that despite Obama's edge over McCain, the RNC's enormous edge over the DNC means that it's by no means clear that Obama will really have a financial advantage in an overall sense. The McCain campaign and the RNC, recall, are working in a sufficiently hand-in-glove manner that the RNC ran an ad lauding McCain's willingness to break with the Republicans over climate change.

David Plouffe's email to supporters below the fold:

We have some big news we want to share with you.

Because of your generosity and commitment, we're reporting to the press today that this campaign is in a very strong financial position.

In the month of June, supporters like you helped raise $52 million.

But more impressive than the number is how you did it. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people contributed to building our campaign for change. Many were first-time donors, giving only what they could afford -- and the average donation was just $68.

You continue to prove what ordinary Americans committed to change can accomplish, despite the Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs funding so much of our opponents' campaign.

But we can't stop now.

It's going to take everything we've got to defeat John McCain and the Republican National Committee in November. And we can't do it without your continued support.

Can you make a donation of $25 now to strengthen our movement for change?

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

I also wanted to share with you another promising piece of news.

The Obama campaign and the DNC ended June with a combined total of nearly $72 million in the bank. It's a healthy number. But McCain and the RNC together still have a huge cash advantage, and we need your help to close the gap.

As I mentioned in my video message to you earlier in the week, we're facing a Republican machine with unprecedented resources at its disposal. The McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee finished June with nearly $100 million in the bank.

Our campaign does not accept donations from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs, and neither does the Democratic National Committee. But John McCain and the RNC have no such standards.

Along with the vast amounts of unregulated money being raised by shadowy outside groups, there's no telling how much they'll spend running attack ads.

We must work together and fight back against their efforts.

Please make a donation of $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

I know this isn't the first time we've asked you for money, and it won't be the last.

We have developed a strategy -- a very aggressive strategy -- that will only work if our millions of supporters continue to contribute their time and their money.

We are now on the air with TV ads in 18 states -- including 14 that George W. Bush carried in the 2004 election. And in each one we're also building extensive grassroots field organizations.

It's all part of our strategy to spread Barack's positive message and compete in all 50 states.

That strategy will work, and it has to. The stakes are too high and the need for change too great. We are thrilled to be on this journey with you and thank you for all you have done so far. But victory is only possible with your continued help.

Please give $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

We can't do this without you.

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America