Obama raised $150 million in September, bringing his total haul during the campaign to over $600 million. Average donation last month? $86. And it's worth saying that this does more than simply pump Obama's campaign full of money (and for that matter, dissuade Republican donors of putting money into a cause as unlikely as McCain). In normal years, the DNC has to split its funds between downticket races, party building, and supporting the presidential candidate. This year, as you've heard, the RNC is the only institution keeping McCain viable. But for once, the DNC is freed from such presidential level responsibility, which is why you're hearing rumblings that they're going to inject $20 million -- $20 million! -- in state legislature races meant to construct the majorities needed to take control of congressional redistricting in 2010. Obama having a lot of money, in other words, also means the rest of the party has a lot of money, and can spend it on things that are not Obama. They can spend it on building a majority. You know, I sort of feel like there was a recent American Prospect cover story on rather this exact topic...
