US candidate McCain raises $47 mn in August

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA: Republican presidential candidate John McCain has raised at least $47 million in August. It is his biggest monthly money total so far and a sign that he is dispelling doubts about his campaign among donors.

A McCain official says the campaign raised $10 million since McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on Friday. Palin has emerged as a popular vice presidential candidate among social conservatives who have held McCain under suspicion.

Another campaign official said the Republican Party and the campaign will have between $224 million and $240 million available next week going into the fall campaign, including $85 million in public funds that McCain will receive after he officially becomes the Republican nominee.