Obama Bests McCain Among Bush-Backing Bankers, Drug Companies

[cal04]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aRCVqfSQ43Eo&refer=home
Jonathan D. Salant

John McCain's presidential campaign lacks the support of several Republican-leaning industries central to President George W. Bush's record-setting fund raising four years ago.

Democrat Barack Obama has captured $9.6 million in donations from employees working for securities, mortgage and drug companies, compared with McCain's $6.6 million. In 2004, people in those industries gave $10.6 million to Bush and $5.4 million to Democratic nominee John Kerry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a research group in Washington.

McCain's inability to match Bush's performance in attracting traditional Republican donors illustrates the fund raising gap between the candidates. Obama is seeking to bring in double or triple the $84.1 million in federal funds that McCain will have to spend in the final two months before the Nov. 4 election. In June, Obama declined to accept public financing, which caps his spending at the federal allotment.

Not all Republicans ``are opening their wallets to a McCain presidential run,'' said Mallory Factor, a banker who co-hosts a weekly meeting of conservatives in New York and raised more than $1 million for Bush and his party four years ago.

[demokatgurrl]

1. Is that really a good thing?

I'm not sure.