President Obama raking in swing state money

WASHINGTON — Showing impressive momentum, President Barack Obama raised more in high-dollar contributions than Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the last two months in 10 of 11 battleground states that are pivotal to win the presidential election, according to an analysis of new campaign financial reports by The Associated Press.

Importantly, Romney's campaign has raised more money from donors who gave over $200 than Obama's organization overall since May in four of those 11 battleground states — in some cases by wide margins, such as $21 million for Romney in Florida versus $11.2 million there for Obama. Nationally, Romney has continued to out-fundraise Obama.

Yet Obama made especially impressive gains last month in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The new financial figures, current through the end of August, do not reflect a slam dunk for Obama's campaign. But as much as the act of donating more than $200 to a politician is a measure of popular support, the figures present another challenge for Romney in key states with only six weeks before Election Day.

They also represent a precursor to what has been one of the most difficult periods in Romney's candidacy. Romney has struggled this week to quell controversy over a secretly recorded video in which he told donors that 47 percent of the country pays no taxes and is dependent on government, amid fresh signs of a national housing rebound and growing support for Obama in polls.

For example, in Florida, with its 29 winner-take-all electoral votes, Obama raised $5.5 million in itemized contributions in July and August compared to $3.7 million for Romney during the same period. In Ohio, with 18 electoral votes and also considered a keystone for a winning campaign, Obama raised $2.3 million compared to $1.3 million for Romney.