UPDATE: Obama's Grassroots Efforts Match the Clinton Money Machine

Senator Barack Obama's campaign revealed today that it raised $25 million in the first quarter, including an astounding $23.5 million for use in the primary campaign. 

 

Obama's total fell a mere $1 million shy of Senator Hillary Clinton's $26 million, surprising many analysts who expected Senator Clinton, her efforts bolstered her husband's fundraising network, to raise substantially more than her opponents.

 

"This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country and a belief at the grassroots level that Barack Obama can bring out the best in America to solve our problems," said Penny Pritzker, finance chair for Obama's campaign.

 

More than 100,000 people have contributed to the Obama campaign in less than three months.  Obama's total surpassed all of the Republican nominees.

 

Now that the campaign has silenced all doubts that he can compete with Hillary Clinton and her vast fundraising network, Senator Obama can continue to draw the nation's attention to critical issues neglected or mishandled by the Bush administration.