Obama rakes in more Nebraska dollars than McCain

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By TIMBERLY ROSS / The Associated Press

MAHA, Neb. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been raking in more campaign dollars from Nebraska, but Republican John McCain could close the gap with this week’s visit to the state and a high-dollar fundraiser.

The latest fundraising numbers from the Federal Election Commission show Obama raised $365,134 through the end of May. McCain pulled in $154,776.

Hillary Clinton, who dropped out of the Democratic race in early June, raised $298,088, according to the FEC.

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Barack Obama greets the crowd during the Stand for Change Rally at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in early February. (LJS File)

Barack Obama greets the crowd during the Stand for Change Rally at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in early February. (LJS File)

Obama and his wife visited Nebraska in February in the days leading up to the Democratic caucus, and his numbers were helped by a fundraiser last summer hosted by billionaire investor Warren Buffett in Omaha.

But McCain could fatten his coffers with Wednesday’s fundraiser at the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland. It will be his first visit to the state since declaring his candidacy.

Former Congressman Hal Daub, who’s chairman of McCain Victory 2008 in Nebraska, said at least 250 people have signed up for the event. The minimum donation to attend is $1,000, but attendees could give much more.

Overall, Democratic presidential candidates had raised $737,459 in Nebraska by the end of May, compared with $480,951 for Republicans, according to the FEC. Nationally, Democratic presidential contenders had raised nearly $605.5 million by the end of May, while the Republicans totaled about $362.6 million.

Nebraska is among the reddest of the red states when it comes to electing presidents. Lyndon Johnson was the last Democrat to carry Nebraska, and that was 44 years ago.

But state Democrats think Obama could beat McCain in the congressional district that includes Omaha or the one that includes Lincoln.

Nebraska is unusual because it can split its five electoral votes, although it’s never happened. One is awarded to the winner of each of the three congressional districts; the other two go to the statewide winner.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson has said in a tight race, one electoral vote from Nebraska could win the election for Obama.

Presidential candidates file fundraising reports throughout the election cycle, including one due monthly until November.