SPECIAL: Obama's fundraising powerhouse

While Republican presidential hopefuls duke it out for their opportunity to challenge President Obama, he is equipping himself with a powerful array of technologies and people in preparation for one of the most expensive reelection bids in US history.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - When it comes to political campaigns, money is life. President Obama may be on track to become the first person to ever raise more than $1 billion for a political campaign. Critical to his success is the finance director of "Obama for America," Rufus Gifford.

Rufus Gifford is a talented and experienced fundraiser, and is openly gay. Just 37 years old, the Massachusetts native previously helped raise $30 million for Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) and his 2004 campaign against then President George W. Bush.

In 2007, Gifford led Obama's Southern California fundraising campaign which brought in $80 million. Now, he is directing the national campaign for the president's reelection.

Gifford was brought into the Democratic fundraising apparatus because he knew Sen. Kerry's daughter at Brown University. After college, Gifford went to work in the film industry where he had some success as a creative executive. But in 2004, disillusioned with President Bush, Gifford decided to reconnect with Kerry's daughter, Alexandra, and she helped to bring him on board the Kerry campaign.

Gifford has previously been featured in a number of news articles for his fundraising acumen. One piece in the LA Weekly was titled, "Obama's Gay Gold Mine". 

Democratic National Committee staff are virtually universal in their praise for Gifford. He is credited with bringing enthusiasm and motivation to the DNC's campaigns.

Obama's fundraising campaign has already generated $42 million in the third quarter of 2011. This is more than twice the total raised by Rick Perry, and more than all of the other Republican candidates combined. When Obama's money is combined with money raised by the DNC, the sum is a war chest with more than $70 million.

Giffords has his work cut out for him however. Obama's public approval is low, and many of the former donors who gave generously in 2008, are giving much less this time, or none at all. A few have even pledged to give money to the Republican challenger. Obama has lost considerable ground with his base, which accuses him of being too moderate.

This rift within the Democratic Party creates an opportunity for Republicans, but the opportunity is small, and any Republican challenger will need to be skillful and capable. With powerful fundraisers like Gifford, Obama will have plenty of money on hand which will allow him to set lofty goals, and make strides in achieving them.

The Obama campaign is also strategically targeting different segments of the voting population, and is well ahead of the curve in its use of database and technology and social networking to reach out to voters.

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This means that Republicans, despite voter dissatisfaction with President Obama, will need to make skillful use of their money and resources. Republicans have to catch up in both fundraising, and technology. They cannot rely on approval ratings to retake the White House.

It appears the President Obama has the resources, and a very skilled fundraiser behind him. It does not appear that any of his potential Republican rivals can yet say the same.

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