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Number of presidential donors way up

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 17, 2008 02:52 PM

Here's the latest measure of the high level of interest, especially on the Democratic side, in what could be a historic presidential race.

The Center for Responsive Politics reported this afternoon that by the end of February, nearly 377,000 people had donated more than $200 to the presidential candidates -- nearly double the 197,500 at the same time in 2004.

The number of Democratic donors giving more than $200 more than doubled, from 104,500 in 2004 to 228,100 in 2008, while the number of Republican donors increased less sharply, from 90,500 in 2004 to 142,000 in 2008, the nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group said.

Democratic presidential candidates have raised about 61 percent of the total $497.2 million so far from donors giving more than $200. The number of small donors has also jumped significantly, thanks largely to online contributions that have flowed particularly to Democrat Barack Obama.

3 comments so far...

  1. If a total of 370,000 donors gave $497million that equates to over $1300 per donor. I thought the maximum allowed was $1000 per donor?

    Posted by Ray Miller April 17, 08 05:03 PM
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  1. It never said 370,000 donors gave $497million, it only says that 370,000 donors gave $200 or more. It does say that the 370,000 donors only account for 61% of the total $497 million. That's an average of $820 per donor for these 370,000.

    Posted by Bob Squeebege April 19, 08 01:08 PM
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  1. Actually the limit for donations to the primary elections is $2300. Donors can give more, up to $4600, but the second $2300 can only be spent on the general election campaign.

    Also, the $497 million you mention was spread across a lot more than 370,000 donors - the 370,000 number only counts those who gave more than $200. Obama in particular, as well as Clinton, has a lot of donors who've given less than that, so the average amount per donor is probably lower than $1300. (Obama has over 1,300,000 individual donors so far, so a LOT of them must be under-$200 donors.)

    Posted by Melissa Andreas April 20, 08 10:38 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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