Romney Edges Obama in Florida Money
Friday, July 20, 2012
By: Matt Laslo

July 20, 2012 | WMFE - President Obama cancelled a scheduled appearance in Central Florida today because of the mass shooting in Colorado. The president had been expected to appear at Rollins College as part of a two-day campaign swing through the state. Both President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are working hard for Florida's 29 electoral votes but both campaigns are also counting on Floridians to come through with campaign donations. So far, Governor Romney appears to be winning the fundraising contest while the president is lagging behind.

In 2008, Mr. Obama broke fundraising records through soliciting small donations from his supporters. This time around he's broken records by attending more fundraisers than his predecessors but it hasn't paid off yet in Florida.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has out-raised him in the state by more than three million dollars.
Kathy Kiely is with the government watch group the Sunlight Foundation. She says the presidential candidates have an eye on Florida for two reasons.

“Florida is both a battle ground state, an electoral vote rich state, but it’s also an ATM state. It’s a place where the candidates go for money.” Kiely said.

While the president is going to be soliciting donations from anyone he can, Kiely says his visit this week was also intended to focus on his Get Out the Vote effort.

“They’re going to want to make sure they collect as many names, phone numbers, and email addresses as possible.” Kiely said. “Because it’s all going to be about getting out the vote in Florida.”

So far the president has pulled in just under six and a half million dollars from Floridians, while Romney has raked in more than nine and a half million dollars.