Obama raises a record $150 million in September

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By Christina Bellantoni

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Sen. Barack Obama raised more than $150 million in September, a staggering figure that has allowed him to outspend his rival in the battle for the presidency.

Mr. Obama also Sunday morning won the endorsement of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican who served in the Bush administration.

Related article:Colin Powell endorses Obama

The cash is nearly triple Mr. Obama's best monthly haul but also completely dwarfs the $84 million Republican Sen. John McCain has for the general election because he opted into the public financing system.

Mr. Obama was the first candidate in history to decline public funds and the spending limits that come along with them.

The campaign first alerted supporters at 6:30 a.m. to the fund-raising total, which was aided by 632,000 new donors. That brings Mr. Obama, seeking to become the nation's first black president, to 3.1 million total donors from the start of the campaign in January 2007.

The campaign said the average contribution in September was less than $100 and the average for the campaign is $86.

Campaign manager David Plouffe sent supporters this e-mail Sunday morning:

"A record 100,000 people rallied with Barack in St. Louis yesterday, and another 75,000 in Kansas City last night. Back in Chicago, we were tallying up our latest fundraising numbers.

"Supporters like you have completely transformed how political campaigns raise money, so I wanted you to be the first to know how we did in September.

"I recorded a short video to share the latest numbers:

"Watch the video

"When Barack entered this race, he put his faith in the power of ordinary supporters like you coming together and building a movement for change from the bottom up.

"That's exactly how we got this far -- and you should feel proud of all we have accomplished together.

"But with just 16 days left in this election, we can't slow down now. Please take a minute to watch the video and find out where we stand. . . .

"Thanks for everything you're doing,

"David Plouffe, Campaign Manager, Obama for America"