RICKSANITY

Small Donors Boost Santorum

Meanwhile, Romney relies on big checks.

Nothing says “give me money” like a few primary and caucus wins. Rick Santorum is riding high after winning in Iowa, raising $4.5 million and finishing January with $1.5 million in his pockets, according to a Federal Election Commission report. While the money is less than what Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich made last month, it’s a good sign: Santorum has a very motivated small-donor base that seems to be inspired by his surge. The presidential hopeful has raised $2.6 million from donations in increments under $200—meaning he can go back to these donors, much as Barack Obama did in 2008. The campaign says that wins in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado have spiked Santorum's funds even higher. One drawback: he’s $957,000 in debt for January. Meanwhile, Romney’s money mostly comes from big checks, which may run dry, forcing the candidate to go into his own pockets to finish the race.