Gender gap among top political fundraisers

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The vast majority of top fundraisers for U.S. presidential campaigns this year are men, an analysis indicates.

Of at least 500 elite fundraisers in presumptive Republican nominee John McCain's campaign, only 59 are women, a USA Today analysis revealed.

The analysis indicates only 148 of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama's more than 500 fundraisers are women.

Data from the analysis highlights a gender gap in the world of elite fundraisers, despite women accounting for most of the electorate.

Leading fundraisers are referred to as bundlers because they garner support from relatives, friends and business colleagues, USA Today said.

"Most Americans would like to see women represented in politics, and political contributions are part of that process," said Sheila Krumholz, of the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. "That certainly applies to the more elite ranks of donors."