WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign has reportedly raised at least $100 million in August, hitting that mark for a third consecutive month with a prowess that has let him outraise President Obama this summer.
The early numbers, which include money raised by the national Republican Party, will be publicly released next week. They were described by two people familiar with the figures who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal campaign matters.
The numbers were revealed on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., where delegates will nominate Obama for a second term. Federal records show that Romney and the GOP have pulled in more cash than Obama’s effort in May, June, and July, including money collected by the Democratic Party.
It is usually difficult for a challenger to raise more money than an incumbent holding a major elective office, particularly in a presidential race.
The figures exclude tens of millions of dollars that outside ‘‘super’’ political action committees are pouring into the race to help Romney. Those groups have been largely bankrolled by wealthy Americans, thanks to changes in recent years that have loosened campaign-finance regulations. - ASSOCIATED PRESS
Democrats keep a watchful eye on the weather
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Democrats are closely watching the forecasts as a rainy week unfolds ahead of President Obama’s speech accepting his party’s nomination.
With Obama set to address supporters in Charlotte’s open-air football stadium Thursday, party officials insist the speech will go on even if it rains.
The National Weather Service says there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday night, but forecasters said it’s impossible to pinpoint when and where storms will materialize.
Obama has given memorable speeches in the rain before. In July, he spoke to about 900 people during a campaign stop in Virginia, turning down an umbrella or a raincoat. - ASSOCIATED PRESS
For attendees, plenty to choose from
Why do you think they call it a party?
In one day, delegates and deep-pocketed Democratic donors have more than 120 events and parties to choose from. Something for the body? They can join in a 5-mile run or a zumba/cardio dance fitness gathering. Something to lift spirits? Numerous groups are holding pub gatherings that offer a split screen of convention coverage and the first game of the NFL season. Here’s a glance at the variety of events for Wednesday:
7 a.m.: Group runs, (3, 5, 7 miles) with Run For Your Life
8: Zumba/cardiofunk dance
9: Robert F. Kennedy exhibit by Life photographer Bill Eppridge
9:30: Planned Parenthood celebrity panel discussion and fund-raiser
9:30: Panel discussion on energy options
10: Read My Pins, a culture event featuring jewelry worn by
Madeleine Albright when she was secretary of state
10: March against corporate greed, by Occupy Durham
10: Viewing of the full-length documentary “Ethel,” on Ethel Kennedy
10: Brunch/fund-raiser for Elizabeth Warren
1:20 p.m.: Parade to change marijuana laws, with NORML
3:30: Two-state, two-olive martini bar with J Street, a Jewish group pushing for a two-state solution in Israel.
7: A Catholic conversation, Governing for the Common Good
7: Tumblr meetup and convention and NFL game watch party
9: Concert with Flo Rida to benefit combat veterans - GLOBE STAFF
Patrick Kennedy draws a crowd
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — His hands were waving wildly. Nearly every statement he made would require an exclamation point. Those in the audience shouted, “Yes!” and “That’s right!” as if he were preaching to a Southern Baptist congregation.
“That’s what you’ll hear from me seven days a week, and twice on Sunday!” said Patrick Kennedy, the former Rhode Island congressman, the son of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and, now, a full-time advocate for those battling mental illness.
Kennedy was in a small conference room at the Democratic National Convention, one packed with people gathered for the “Recovery Caucus.”
David Wellstone, the son of the late Senator Paul Wellstone, talked about suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after his father, mother, and sister died in a plane crash. Laurie Dhue, the former Fox News anchor, talked of being a recovering alcoholic.
“I’m putting my face and my voice on the line,” she said.
“Awesome,” Kennedy said, applauding. “Awesome.”
Kennedy, who has struggled with depression and substance abuse, decided not to run for reelection in 2010 and has since made raising awareness of those issues a top priority.
He also pushed for more expansive insurance coverage for mental health issues.
“If we don’t implement a good rule on mental health parity, we’re going to continue to perpetuate the notion that mental health care is somehow different from overall health care. And that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. - MATT VISER
Small group of protesters takes to streets, with hundreds of officers at ready
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Demonstrators blocked an intersection near the Democratic National Convention for about two hours Tuesday, attracting hundreds of police officers, before they were allowed to keep walking toward the heart of Charlotte’s central business district.
Two people were taken away in handcuffs.
While the afternoon demonstrations were tense, they were free of violence or mayhem.
A group of about 50 protesters on an unauthorized march had sat down in the middle of an intersection about five blocks from where the convention is being held.
They were surrounded by hundreds of police officers and warned to disperse or be arrested.
The impasse was broken after two demonstrators spoke to Charlotte’s police chief and said they were told they could continue to walk as a group on public sidewalks. They then continued past the city’s convention center.
The demonstrators’ stated goal had been to talk to convention delegates, and the two groups came close to each other along the side of the convention center.
At one point, a group of delegates shouted ‘‘Four more years!’’ The marchers responded: ‘‘No more years!’’ - ASSOCIATED PRESS