Obama raised $51 million in July

UPDATED:

Chicago-Sen. Barack Obama announced Saturday morning he raised more than $51 million for his presidential run during the month of July, nearly double his opponent’s fundraising haul.

The sum was aided by a donor contest where 10 contributors were chosen to go “backstage” for his Denver convention speech along with several big-dollar fundraisers.

The campaign said that more than 65,000 new donors gave during the month.

Mr. Obama of Illinois has $65.8 million in the bank, all of which he can spend through the Nov. 4 election.

His Republican rival Sen. John McCain of Arizona raised $27 million in July and has $21 million in the bank. He has to spend that money quickly because he is accepting federal public financing for the general election while Mr. Obama is not.

“The 65,000 new donors to the Obama campaign demonstrate just how strongly the American people are looking to fundamentally change business as usual in Washington. We are proud of the millions of volunteers and more than two million donors to the Obama campaign who will provide the backbone of our campaign to put America back on track and reject the old politics and failed Bush policies, which is all John McCain is offering,” Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in a statement.

Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain meet on a stage for the first time since becoming presumptive nominees Saturday evening in Lake Forest, Calif. for a faith forum hosted by Rick Warren.

The Democratic National Committee also announced its totals and said they had out-raised the Republican National Committee for the first time in almost four years.

The DNC raised $27.7 million in July and has $28.5 million in the bank.

The RNC collected $26 million in July and now has $75 million on hand.