Obama fundraising machine slows down

AFP, June, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Democrat Barack Obama reported Saturday his most modest fundraising haul of the year following his unprecedented decision to reject public financing for his White House bid.

Obama collected just under 22 million dollars in May, the last month of campaigning in his grueling nominating duel with Senator Hillary Clinton, according to figures released by the Federal Election Commission.

Until last month, Obama had raised one million dollars a day, or no less than 31 million dollars a month between January and April.

For his part, Republican rival John McCain broke his own record in May, but his 21 million dollars still left him behind Obama's fundraising juggernaut.

Obama has raised a record-shattering 287 million dollars since the...