WASHINGTON, August 15, 2008 (AFP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain raked in 27 million dollars in campaign financing in July, breaking his previous record in monthly fundraising since claiming the party nomination.

McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis said Friday the Arizona senator's war chest would allow him to fight a 'very active' campaign in the next crucial few weeks of his showdown with Democrat Barack Obama.

As he gets ready to name his vice presidential nominee and prepares for the Republican National Convention early next month, McCain's donor base has now expanded to 600,000 donors, Davis said on a conference call with reporters.

Obama has yet to announce his fundraising total for July, but his campaign said Friday that more than two million people had now donated to his presidential effort.

In June, the Illinois senator raised 52 million dollars, more than double the 22 million dollar haul by McCain in the same month.

McCain is expected to intensify his advertising blitz against Obama in the next few weeks, as he must empty his accounts after accepting 84 million dollars in public financing to bankroll his run up to November's election.

Davis said the McCain campaign had 21 million dollars in cash in hand at the start of August.

Obama caused a political storm after going back on an earlier undertaking to accept such funding, giving him an advantage, as he will be able to raise as much money as he wants to buy vital television ads.