Peter Daou, Clinton's Internet fundraising director, said her victories "resulted in a historic outpouring" of money.
Obama's announcement that he had raised $55 million came two days after the Illinois senator lost races in Texas and Ohio and aimed to underscore his continued political strength.
His $55-million month easily bested the previous single-month record set in March 2004, when Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) raised $43.4 million for his presidential campaign, according to FEC records. His effort was fueled by Internet donations.
Democratic consultant Bill Carrick, who is not involved in the 2008 campaign, called Obama's fundraising phenomenal and said the money he was amassing would allow him to "compete in every state for every delegate."
Carrick said that although McCain "ultimately will raise a lot of money" for the general election, "Republicans are woefully behind in Internet fundraising." He said the Democrats' dominance of Internet fundraising could allow them to out-raise Republicans for years.
Obama maintains a lead in delegates. But as he found Tuesday, the candidate with the most money does not always win. Obama significantly outspent Clinton in TV advertising in Texas and Ohio but lost both states.
The Obama campaign said that of the $55 million, more than $54 million was earmarked for the primary campaign. That's significant because it means that if he were to win the Democratic nomination, donors who provided the $54 million could give up to $2,300 each for the general election.
Obama received money from 727,972 donors in February, including 385,101 new contributors. To date, Obama has received donations from 1.07 million donors, far more than any other candidate.
Clinton had earlier disclosed that she had her biggest fundraising month in February -- $35 million, of which $34 million was earmarked for the primary campaign.
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dan.morain@latimes.com
