US:Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has robbed frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton of her image as the party's inevitable nominee in 2008 by raising a staggering $25 million during the first three months of this year.
Mr Obama's total is just $1 million short of Ms Clinton's and came from 100,000 donors, twice as many as contributed to the former first lady's campaign. Some 90 per cent of Mr Obama's donations were of $100 or less and internet contributions accounted for $6.9 million of the total.
"It has been a truly historic response - a measure of just how hungry people are to turn the page on this era of small and destructive politics. You have sent an unmistakable message to the political establishment about the power and seriousness of our challenge," Mr Obama told supporters yesterday.
The figures underscore Mr Obama's success in creating a broad base of support, particularly among young Democrats and will give his campaign an important boost nine months before the first caucus votes.
They represent a blow to Ms Clinton's campaign, which has been banking on its superior organisation and rich donor base to give her an early advantage in the race. She remains comfortably ahead in opinion polls, although she is running level with Mr Obama and former vice-presidential candidate John Edwards in Iowa, the first state to vote next year.
US citizens can give up to $2,300 to a presidential candidate for the primary campaign and a further $2,300 for the general election, but general election contributions must be returned if the candidate fails to receive his or her party's nomination.
Mr Obama's campaign said that $23.5 million of his $25 million total is available for use in the primary campaign. Ms Clinton has yet to reveal how much of her $26 million is reserved for the general election but her fundraisers have been asking donors to contribute the full $4,600 up front.
Neither candidate has disclosed how much they have already spent, but with her large staff in New York and Washington, Ms Clinton has almost certainly spent more than Mr Obama.
The fundraising contest - dubbed by political pundits "the money primary" - is important in establishing the viability of presidential candidates and Mr Obama's achievement is all the more impressive because he has been a national figure for less than three years.
His success vindicates his decision to refuse donations from lobbyists and political action committees and focus on building a broad base of small donors.
Because so few of Mr Obama's donors have contributed the maximum sum allowed, he can expect further contributions from them and an accelerated "viral marketing" effect as they encourage friends to give to his campaign.
Despite yesterday's news, Ms Clinton remains the Democratic frontrunner and her supporters believe her experience and detailed grasp of policy will help her win the nomination next year.
Mr Obama's success has ensured that if Ms Clinton is to become the Democratic nominee, she will have to fight for the title.