President Obama's Bundlers Include Former Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Gwen Stefani
The Obama campaign today voluntarily released a full list of its top campaign financiers, also known as bundlers. Combined, these 758 individuals are responsible for at least one fifth - or $180 million - of the more-than-$835 million raised by President Obama and Democrats for this election.
These wealthy donors each give the legal maximum to the campaign for the primary and general elections ($5,000) and to the Democratic National Committee ($30,800). They then get their well-placed friends and colleagues to do the same.
Supporters who collect $50,000 or more for Obama and Democrats earn the "bundler" classification.
Obama added 120 new bundlers to his list in the third quarter, July through September, including former Republican governor of Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and singer Gwen Stefani, who raised more than half a million dollars, according to the Obama campaign.
The president also received elite fundraising support from 13 American bundlers who live overseas, collecting ex-pat cash in London, Paris, Geneva and Shanghai.
Here's the breakdown of Obama bundlers, as provided by the campaign:
172 bundlers at $50,000-$100,000 each
169 bundlers at $100,000-$200,000 each
181 bundlers at $200,000-$500,000 each
236 bundlers at $500,000+ each
It's important to note that Obama is the only candidate to voluntarily release the identities and contribution amounts of his bundlers. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has not released comparable information, breaking with a precedent set by President George W. Bush and continued by the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., by keeping his top financiers secret.
You can see the full list of Obama bundlers HERE.