The Democratic “super PAC†backing President Obama raised $10 million in August, as donors gave a record amount to the group amid growing concern among some elite Democratic contributors that Republican outside groups will swamp Mr. Obama's re-election effort.
The group, Priorities USA Action, has never raised as much in a single month since being formed last year by two former Obama aides. Yet the group's overall fund-raising is far behind super PACs and other groups, like American Crossroads and Restore Our Future, supporting the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, and other Republican candidates.
“Democrats have seen the threat from Karl Rove and the Koch brothers and they are respondin g,†said Bill Burton, a spokesman for Priorities USA. “There is still a long way to go, but this is a big step in the right direction to getting President Obama re-elected.â€
Much like Republican groups did at their national convention in Tampa last week, Democratic outside groups are this week converging on their party's convention to woo donors, prospect for new ones and show the flag.
Priorities USA Action and two other groups - Majority PAC, which supports Senate Democrats, and House Majority PAC, which backs House Democrats - will host a shadow convention all their own.
Their events, known as Unity Convention 2012, expect to raise money for all three groups. Tuesday will feature a welcome cocktail hour and on Wednesday, a brunch is scheduled featuring “senior Democratic policy leaders from Capitol Hill and Democratic institutions.†The groups will also host a party immediately after Mr. Obama's formal acceptance of his party's nomination on Th ursday.
