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Palin's speech brings in cash for Obama

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-05 09:19

 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is bringing in campaign cash for the Democrats as well as her own party.

Barack Obama reported raising at least $10 million from more than 130,000 donors today after Palin, the Alaska governor, addressed the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, and criticized the Democratic presidential nominee.

US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) waves to supporters during a campaign stop in New Philadelphia, Ohio, September 3, 2008. [Agencies]

``Sarah Palin's attacks have rallied our supporters in ways we never expected,'' Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said. ``And we fully expect John McCain's attacks tonight to help us make our grassroots organization even stronger.''

Related readings:  McCain nominated, Palin steals show  Analysis: McCain camp plays sexism card for Palin  Palin casts herself as Washington outsider

The money followed an e-mail solicitation campaign manager David Plouffe sent out right after Palin's speech.

``You know that despite what John McCain and his attack squad say, every day people have the power to build something extraordinary when we come together,'' he wrote.

McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, raised $10 million after Palin was selected as his running mate Aug. 29, part of his record $47 million haul last month.

``She's energized the base,'' said former New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato, who has raised at least $250,000 for McCain, 72. ``Money will not be a problem.''

Palin Appeal

The McCain campaign sent out an e-mail from Palin, 44, today seeking additional donations. ``We must have the finances to respond to the latest attacks the Democrats have launched at us,'' she wrote.

Now that McCain is the nominee, he will receive $84.1 million for his fall campaign and cannot raise any private money except to cover legal and accounting costs. His fundraisers can continue to bring in money for the Republican National Committee, which, in turn, can spend it on McCain's behalf.

McCain also can contribute any unspent money from his primary campaign to the RNC, Federal Election Commission spokesman Bob Biersack said.