AP/ September 21, 2012, 2:30 AM

Obama's coffers far fuller than Romney's as campaign entered final two months

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(AP) WASHINGTON — At the end of August, President Obama had about $88.8 million to spend on the final months of the campaign, nearly twice as much as Republican rival Mitt Romney, according to campaign fundraising reports released Thursday.

While Romney's report showed he had $50.4 million to spend as of Aug. 31, he also owed $15 million on a $20 million loan taken that month.

The loan helped Romney pay for mailings, staff salaries and TV advertising — and it helped his finances appear healthier on paper. It also boosted his cash-on-hand total from $35.4 million — a number that's closer to a third of Mr. Obama's haul.

Full coverage: Election 2012

While Romney raised about $66.6 million in August to Mr. Obama's $84.7 million, the $20 million loan boosts Romney's total receipts to $86.6 million, slightly higher than his Democratic opponent's take.

Both Romney and Mr. Obama spent about as much as they raised during the month of August. Romney spent about $66.4 million, while Mr. Obama spent about $83.7 million.

Romney and the Republican Party raised more than $111 million combined. That was less than Mr. Obama and the Democrats, who raised more than $114 million.

Romney took out a $20 million loan in late August, in the days before his campaign had access to funds they had raised for the general election, because he was not yet the official nominee. He used general election money as collateral for the loan.

The new report shows he paid back $5 million before the end of August. The campaign said it had paid back an additional $4 million in September, although that data won't be publicly recorded until next month.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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RollotheNorman says:
Yep and my guess is that there will be a really interesting IRS investigation of Crossroads GPS after the election. The are specifically targeting attack ads to Democratic candidates in specific areas. The law limits them to public service, issue oriented announcements.
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venusvegasvada says:
I can see that.

Mitt Romney has been so effective for the Obama Campaign I can see how the Dems can cut back on spending.

Mitt's the best guy Obama has for his campaign!
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ageary99 says:
How much is Obama's and Michelle Anniversary going to cost us this year??? I am sure he will be sure to spend more of my money!! They have NEVER been poor, Michelle stated that they drove a car on a date with no floor board in it.. REALLY, I would have loved to see that car. They both went to prep schools, and Ivy League colleges how can that be defined as "Poor"?
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aintfakin replies:
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Obama released his tax returns
compared to Robmee 99% of us are poor
now put your arm back in its socket after that reach
parrot2-2009 replies:
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Dumb Dumb repug !!
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ageary99 says:
Obama has the networks (ABC, NBC, CNN) back pocket... I get so sick of these networks telling people what they want them to hear, trying to get Obama re-elected. He raises more money (if that is even true) because he is a "Movie Star" President... The people he hates gives he the most money, the people he will take more from his next term to GIVE to the 47% Romney is talking about. 4.5 million jobs Obama says he has created in 10 months, what is he talking about.. We have a million fewer jobs than when he took office, he also said our unemployment would be at 5.4% if we spent the 8 hundred trillion dollars in stimulus money.. We spent the money and we have had unempoyment at over 8% for over 43 months, so where are these jobs he is talking about, yet another lie!!! Just words trying to get votes.. 1 of of 6 people living in poverty. Obama wants more government, which is were the jobs will be.. These jobs he wants to create will yet cost the tax payers more money, so how does that really help us? He is going to create more government jobs to regulate the American people MORE and take away any freedom he can from us, yet give any immigrant freedom and yes the immigrants are part of the Romney 47%. We keep giving to people that do not even live hear. My question is why does CBS support this kind of leadership?
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aintfakin replies:
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never ends doesit?
the poor victims of the media
are they supposed to lie about Robmee's lies?
and I thought Pox snooze had the best ratings?
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aintfakin says:
darrinps0322 September 21, 2012 8:07 AM EDT
Is is because you want to make the masses feel that Obama is worthy of respect where Mitt Romney isn't?
------------------------------------------------
call it what it is
how can you respect desperation pandering?
how can you respect pathological lying?
how can you respect a different message every 5 minutes?
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aintfakin says:
doesnt surprise me
we are starting to see the few remaining donors that will support a bald faced liar and a guy who changes directions faster than Barry Sanders.
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tsigili says:
Obama bought the last election......and now he's trying to buy it AGAIN!
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AOCGUY says:
by iwantafuture September 21, 2012 8:49 AM EDT
This whole story is a lie Romney had more than 100 million more as of the end of August. CBS is nothing more than a liberal propagada station, ask Dan Rather..he got himself fired for lying about GWB at the end of the Kerry debacle..what a bunch of losers

by mollysmop September 21, 2012 8:39 AM EDT
WEll is'nt that SOMETHING...After ALL the "hard-work" obama has done in "SHOWBIZ-FUND-RAISING", and "House-Hopping" with the "stars" to make a buck....Instead of working hard for "the people"...does obama remember "US"?????He had forgotten, so he could mingle with the people he puts down the MOST, as being too wealthy...Where are the pictures of his Party the other night with $800.00 bottle of "beer"???...Oh! forgot THE FOOD STAMPS....THE Wanna-be "movie-star" wants us to VOTE now... he is soooooo "out of touch with the voters"...

OK boys and girls, let's get your stories straight - which is it? He either doen't have more money than Romney or he does due to hanging out with Hoolywood elites. Make up your mind.
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iwantafuture says:
This whole story is a lie Romney had more than 100 million more as of the end of August. CBS is nothing more than a liberal propagada station, ask Dan Rather..he got himself fired for lying about GWB at the end of the Kerry debacle..what a bunch of losers

http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/campaign-finance
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tepeterso says:
Even the Financiers Citizens United released are abandoning the leaky Romney/Ryan ship
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