Texas Congressman Ron Paul's presidential campaign had a record fundraising quarter, exceeding its original goal of $12 million by over 50 percent when it raised nearly $20 million during the months of October, November and December.
"Only Dr. Paul has the ability to inspire Americans to contribute and take action that is necessary if Republicans want to defeat the Democrats in November," said campaign chairman Kent Snyder.
In two 24-hour periods on November 5 and December 16, the campaign raised over $10 million dollars. The total of over $19.5 million represents an increase of nearly 300 percent from its third quarter total of $5.28 million.
For the quarter, the campaign had over 130,000 donors, including over 107,000 new donors. The total was reached with an average donation size that was just under $90.
Of the other Republican candidates, only Mike Huckabee - who reported $5.04 million this quarter - discloses his fundraising total online. However, Paul's total is over $9 million more than any Republican candidate raised in the third quarter.
Paul has caught fire on the Internet, attracting a national following among donors drawn to his opposition to U.S. troops in Iraq and his libertarian views.
By comparison, Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton raised more than $100 million for their campaigns in 2007, setting a historic new threshold in fundraising.
Sources familiar with the financial operations of both candidates said they surpassed the $100 million mark in 2007 -- the first time two candidates have raised the amount before the nation's first primary, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
"It's unprecedented," Michael S. Berman, organizer of former Vice President Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential bid, told UPI. "What we did, it's not even relevant anymore. The amounts just keep growing. I don't know if there is an upper limit."
However, neither candidate quite reached President Bush's record for fundraising in a non-election year -- he raised $131.8 million in 2003.
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