Democrats beating GOP online

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- The Internet is proving to be a fundraising gold mine for Democratic candidates seeking their party's nomination for president of the United States.

Newly released data indicate in the first six months of the year, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina raised approximately a third of their funds through the Internet, The New York Times reports.

Front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York has not released her second-quarter fundraising figures but The Times says she has been aggressive in using the Internet to get donations.

All three of the top Democratic contenders are far ahead of Republicans when it comes to raising money through the Internet.

GOP candidates former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have raised approximately $14 million over the Internet compared to the more than $28 million collected by the top Democrats.

Online GOP strategist David All says his party is being beaten badly online.