McCain raises record $47 million in August

CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Republican John McCain raised more than $47 million (26.4 million pounds) in campaign donations in August, putting him in striking distance of Democrat Barack Obama's fundraising success, due in part to a surge in donations after he named his vice presidential pick.

Of that amount, some $10 million poured in after McCain announced that his running mate would be Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a conservative and staunch opponent of abortion rights, according to campaign spokesman Brian Rogers.

McCain, an Arizona senator, raised $27 million in July, compared to some $51 million raised by Obama, who officially became his party's White House nominee last week.

The Obama campaign has not released its August fundraising figures. The Illinois senator has far surpassed his Republican opponent all year and opted not to take public funds for the two months leading up to the November 4 election.

McCain, who opted to take public financing, will get an infusion of $84 million from a government presidential election fund after the Republican convention. The campaign will not be allowed to continue fundraising after that point.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, editing by Jackie Frank)