国际英语新闻：Obama raises $66 mln in August for White House race

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has raised a total of 66 million U.S. dollars in August, when he was officially nominated at the party's national convention, his campaign said on Sunday.

    The figure made last month another record fundraising month for the Illinois Senator after he raised 55 million dollars in February during the primary season.

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama speaks to the audience during a rally at Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester, New Hampshire, September 13, 2008.

According to his campaign, his new record was made thanks to more than a half million new donors in the month, leaving him with more than 77 million dollars in cash on hand.

    On the other hand, his Republican presidential rival, John McCain raised about 47 million dollars in August.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain speaks at a memorial service at the Flight 93 Temporary Memorial outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2008

With no more than two months left before the November election day, the two presidential candidates are chasing each other in the numbers of voters and campaign fund.

    Obama has earlier given up public financing for the general election, and chosen to finance his campaign with donation from his supporters, while McCain accepted public financing with a limit of his direct spending at 84 million dollars.