Last month, Obama's campaign spent USD 111 million compared with USD 55 million by Romney. Combined with their parties, Obama and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) spent USD 139 million, while Romney and the Republican National Committee (RNC) spent USD 103 million.
Obama, seeking a second term in the White House in the November 6 polls, is spending heavily on television, accounting for USD 88 million last month or two out of three dollars spent. Republicans have been able to keep roughly even in advertising spending by relying on generous help from outside allies, including super Political Action Committees, the Washington Post reported today.
65-year-old Romney and the RNC had the advantage in money in the bank, holding USD 191 million at the end of September compared with USD 150 million held by Obama and the DNC. More of the Democrats' money is held with Obama's campaign, however, giving them advantages under the arcane laws governing political spending, the report said.
Obama, 51, has been able to direct more money to his campaign because of his ability to attract small donors. Over the past three months, Obama raised 50 per cent of his money with the DNC through donors giving less than USD 200 at a time, according to an analysis of the reports.
Romney's campaign and the RNC raised only 25 per cent of its money from such small donors. Only the first USD 2,500 from each donor can go to the candidate's campaign, while anything over that must be directed to the party.
Both campaigns have been increasingly exploiting loopholes to tap their parties' money. Obama spent USD 12 million on online advertising through his Obama Victory 2012 account with the DNC in September, while Romney spent USD 13.1 million in online advertising through his Romney Victory committee.
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Romney's campaign disclosed spending USD 7.8 million for fund-raising through VG LLC, but a campaign spokeswoman would not say who controls the firm. The Obama campaign declined to comment on its spending.
The president's campaign spent USD 85,000 with mQube, a firm that allows him to collect money through cellphone text messages, which were recently approved by federal regulators, the report said.
Romney made more bonus payments to senior staff in September, part of their contracts for winning the GOP nomination, handing out USD 10,000 to USD 37,500 to 10 senior aides, it said.