June 07, 2012 10:31 PM UTC

Big-Money Spigot Opens For Romney

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• by: Colorado Pols

You’d be a fool not to take note of this Washington Post report:

Mitt Romney’s campaign and the Republican National Committee significantly outraised President Obama’s reelection effort in May, pulling in $76.8 million to $60 million, according to the respective campaigns.

Both months are the best of the cycle for each candidate and reflect a ramping up with Romney’s status as the all-but-official GOP nominee and Obama’s boost in fundraising from both the gay community and a reported $15 million fundraiser hosted by actor George Clooney.

But Romney’s advantage reflects the reality that Republicans can quickly close the fundraising gap now that their primary is wrapped up. GOP super PACs have already been far outraising their Democratic counterparts, and the combination of that and the uptick in Romney’s fundraising is expected to lead to something close to a level financial playing field heading into November’s general election.

The report isn’t all bad news for President Barack Obama. Though outraised, this was still a record month for both candidates. Obama also boasts a higher percentage of small donors than Romney, considered one benchmark of “grassroots” as opposed to merely deep-pocketed support. And in any race there is a point of diminishing return–though the ceiling goes up with every presidential election, needless to say much higher than inflation.

But that’s the stuff they write below the headline “Romney Outraises Obama.”

As you know, a lot of people only read the headlines.