Obama sets monthly fundraising record

CHICAGO, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Campaigners for Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama say they've set a monthly fundraising record, collecting $66 million in August.

The contributions came from 500,000 new donors and bests the Illinois U.S. senator's previous monthly record of $55 million, set in February, the Chicago Tribune reported Sunday.

Obama's Republican counterpart, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, raised $47 million in August, more than double his previous best month, boosted largely by $10 million that arrived after he named Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin his running mate, the newspaper said.

"The American people are looking to kick the special interests out and change Washington," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in a statement.