Obama Campaign makes U. S. Fundraising History - Again!

Barack Obama has smashed his fundraising record by raising $66m in August, giving him a financial advantage over Republican John McCain in the White House race.

Bill Clinton has put his full support behind Barack Obama

Last month's total beat the Democrat campaign's February record of $55m and was boosted by the recruitment of 500,000 new donors.

Mr Obama opted not to take $84m in public funding for his election campaign, believing they could raise more from grassroots support.

Despite the funding boost, the Democrat presidential candidate still trails slightly behind his Republican rival in the polls.

And Mr McCain also enjoyed a recent boost in funds, raising $47m in August, more than double his previous best month.

This was in part fuelled by a $10m donation surge triggered by adding Sarah Palin to his ticket.

The vice-presidential candidate has fired up campaign commentators on both sides of the aisle.

Former president Bill Clinton made his views clear after lunching with Mr Obama - declaring he would win the presidential race "pretty handily."

A source close to the Obama campaign said: "Bill Clinton is on board. He's making all the right moves and he and Barack Obama are going to campaign together."

Sky's Washington analyst Jon-Christopher Bua said Democrats are relieved to see these two party leaders come together to "bury the hatchet".

"Two forces are at play here: Clinton needs to repair and preserve his legacy as Elder Statesman of the Democratic Party and Obama needs Clinton's spectacular fundraising and crowd-rallying skills to help him energise and excite his base to get out the vote," he said.