Source: WP

The Democratic Party raised $11.5 million in October, a record month for a non-presidential election year in the post-McCain-Feingold era, according to a party source.

That leaves the Democratic National Committee with $12.3 million in cash on hand and $4.4 million in outstanding debts. The Republican National Committee has $11.2 million cash and no debt.

All told, the DNC has raised $66.3 million so far this year, compared to the Republican National Committee's $69.2 million. Including transfers and in-kind donations, the total haul this year at the DNC was $73.3 million, compared to $76.9 million at the RNC, according to Democratic and Republican sources.

On Friday, the DNC e-mailed a fundraising solicitation that seeks to take advantage of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's return to the news.

"Remember, this is the person who coined the term 'Death Panels' -- and opened the flood gates for months of false attacks by special interests and partisan extremists," wrote Mitch Stewart, the director of Organizing for America, a project of the DNC that is the heir to the president's campaign organization, Obama for America.

"As we approach the final sprint on health reform, we can't afford more deception and delay. We need to be ready for anything -- and have the resources to respond with ads, events, and calls to Congress when the attacks come.

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/1...