Obama’s campaign collected $750 million in 2008, prompting speculation that it could top $1 billion this time. Messina said the lofty figures have created “a challenge that keeps coming up. Too many Obama supporters think we don’t need their money or they don’t need to give now.’’
However, Messina said, “The billion-dollar number is completely untrue.’’
Obama, facing no primary opponent, has stockpiled a large campaign bank account, but Democrats expect parity with Republicans once the party chooses a nominee.
Many of Obama’s donations were generated from online giving. Messina said 98 percent of the overall gifts were for $250 or less, and the average donation was $55.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Romney defends stance on abortion, time at Bain
GREER, S.C. - Mitt Romney yesterday defended both his record as head of a Boston investment firm and his stance on abortion as governor of Massachusetts as he toured a motorcycle dealership here.
“There are a number of businesses that we helped start, which collectively - you can just look on their websites - added well over 100,000 jobs,’’ Romney said of his tenure as chief executive of Bain Capital, then cited Staples, Bright Horizons Children’s Center, the Sports Authority, and Steel Dynamics. “And then the press has also reported on businesses that lost employment.’’
He added: “The net of the two is pretty clearly well over 100,000 jobs, and the reality is in the private sector, that there are some businesses that are growing and thriving, and we were fortunate enough to be able to be part of that in a small way, and there’s some businesses that have to be cut back in order to survive and try to make them stronger. And sometimes you’re successful at that and sometimes you’re not.’’
