BUT BARACK IS ROLLING IN BUCKS – AT 9:08 A.M. ET:   New financial reports show a stunning haul for the president.  From The Politico:

The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised a combined $86 million between April and June, blowing past the $60 million goal set by both groups at the start of the fundraising quarter.

Obama campaign manager Jim Messina announced the total in a video released before dawn Wednesday, touting the 552,462 donors who contributed and claiming “more grassroots support at this point in the process than any campaign in political history.”

“We did this from the bottom up. We didn’t accept one single dollar from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs,” Messina said. “We have reason to be proud of what we’ve built so far … Your job, my job, our job is to bring more people into this campaign.”

Of the $86 million raised, Messina said over $47 million went into the coffers of Obama for America and more than $38 million went to the DNC. The average donation was $69.

The $86 million raised for Obama’s reelection easily doubles – and nearly triples – all the major GOP candidates to announce so far, combined.

COMMENT:   Some may wonder why a president who really isn't doing very well can raise so much.  Well, first off, he's the president.  And presidents have built-in fundraising clout.  Second, Barack Obama is a cultural phenomenon.  There are so many Americans who've bought into his "dream" that they can't stand the idea of his being escorted out of the White House by the voters.  He's "our Barack," the symbol of a certain portion of the sixties generation and its cultural allies. 

Republicans must divide their current fundraising efforts among many candidates, and the list may even expand.  I have confidence they will ultimately do well in the fundraising business.  But for now Obama is still the star in the bank-deposit sweepstakes.

July 13, 2011