Republicans got a stark reminder Thursday of President Barack Obama's juggernaut re-election campaign, as he and his Democratic party scooped up nearly $70 million in the last months of 2011.
While the Republican White House hopefuls stumped in South Carolina and Florida -- which hold their primaries on January 21 and 31, respectively -- Obama campaign chief Jim Messina announced the robust haul of campaign cash.
The Democratic total included more than $42 million for the embattled president's fight for a second term, a pitched battle shaped by the sour US economy and voter concerns about high unemployment.
Another $24 million filled the coffers of the Democratic National Committee, which acts as the White House's political arm and will fund Democratic candidates at all levels in the November 6 elections.
"The biggest difference between 2008 and 2012 from a fundraising perspective is that some supporters have begun to think that somehow other people are going to take care of things and it will be fine," he said.