RNC Raises $8.7M And Has No Debt

The Republican National Committee released September fundraising figures this morning showing the GOP has a strong bank account heading into the election's next month and primed for 2010. Chairman Mike Steele said the money will help the party "ensure victory" next year.

The RNC raised $8.74 million last month and have $18.9 million in the bank. They also have no debt, according to the party.

And in a bit of homage to the way Barack Obama built his campaign machine on the small donor grassroots, the RNC release notes they averaged 2,400 new donors each day, with an average contribution of $36. The number of donors is an off-election year record, the RNC said.

"It goes without saying that we have been working hard to establish a new brand for the RNC," Steele said. "From giving a voice to the frustrations of many Americans over the president's health care experiment, to the launch of our new web platform, our efforts have resulted in record breaking fundraising numbers for September which continues an extremely strong trend for us since February."

Steele added: "It is clear that the Republican message of lower taxes, less spending and common sense health care reform resonates with working families and small businesses alarmed by the course the president and Congressional Democrats have taken. As we move closer to the elections this fall and in 2010, these funds will enable the RNC to provide Republican candidates throughout the country the financial resources needed to help ensure victory on election day."