WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's campaign says the Democratic presidential candidate raised $66 million in August, making for another record fundraising month. That tops the record $55 million Obama raised last February.

Campaign spokesman Bill Burton also said today that Obama reached the $66 million mark with help from contributions from 500,000 new donors.

More details are expected later this week, when the campaigns file their monthly financial reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Obama decided not to accept public financing for the rest of his campaign, opting to spend as much as he can raise.

Republican candidate John McCain has accepted public financing, which limits his direct spending to about $84 million.