If President Barack Obama has a problem with his left flank, as some liberal critics contend, it’s not showing up in his latest—“staggering”—fundraising totals.

 

During one three-month period (April-June) this year, the Obama reelection effort raised $86 million, a huge haul even by today’s standards for money-soaked political campaigns. Just as noteworthy as the money total was the fact that more than half a million Americans donated to Obama’s 2012 campaign so far this year. A top election strategist for the president said 98% of contributions during the second quarter were under $250, with the average being around $69.

 

“That haul throws a huge bucket of cold water on claims that Obama is losing his liberal/Democratic base,” wrote left-wing magazine Mother Jones. “If Obama’s donor rolls are any indication, the left appears to be just as motivated in the 2012 race as they were in 2008.”

 

Polling data backs this assertion. Gallup’s surveys indicate Obama’s approval rating among Democrats has held steady at around 80%. Among liberals it’s about 70%.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Obama Losing His Base? Here Are 552,000 Reasons Why That's Wrong (by Andy Kroll, Mother Jones)

Obama’s Fundraising Totals a Record $86 Million (by Perry Bacon Jr. and Aaron Blake, Washington Post)