Deeper pockets in fashion for 2012 presidential race

By Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

Obama shattered fundraising records in 2008 when he collected more than $745 million to win a protracted primary and capture the presidency.

EnlargeCloseBy Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

Obama shattered fundraising records in 2008 when he collected more than $745 million to win a protracted primary and capture the presidency.

"This could easily be a $2 billion presidential election, and that's just for the nominees," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.

At that level, candidates would spend as much to win the White House as the Walt Disney Co. spent on U.S. advertising in 2009, according to Advertising Age.

POLITICS: Obama quietly throws hat in 2012 ring by passing itObama shattered fundraising records in 2008 when he collected more than $745 million to win a protracted primary and capture the presidency — driven partly by small-donor enthusiasm. That's more than twice what his Republican opponent, John McCain, collected and more than four times what George W. Bush collected in 2000. This time around, Obama is aggressively courting deep-pocketed donors. Obama's campaign already has asked more than 400 fundraisers to collect at least $350,000 each by year's end.

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