2012 Convention Pick Charlotte Gave Obama $1.4 Million

So was it just Charlotte, N.C.'s barbecue, sweet people, friendly mayor, and status as the nation's emerging big city that won the Democrats over in the competition to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention? Or did the area's generosity to Barack Obama in 2008 donations push it over the line?

Well it probably didn't hurt that locals gave Obama more than $2 for every $1 they gave to Republican Sen. John McCain. According to the Center for Responsive Politics Obama collected $1.36 million in donations compared to $660,300 for McCain. Picking Charlotte probably had more to do with the zest of the city and its position as a new southern capital than money, but you can check out what the Center says below. Here's what they sent us:

Charlotte, New Democratic National Convention Host, Showered Obama With Donations in 2008

The 2012 Democratic National Convention will convene in Charlotte, N.C., a city already bursting with political love for President Barack Obama: Its residents favored Obama with their campaign cash during his 2008 presidential bid and its voters helped him edge out Republican John McCain to win the state's 15 electoral votes.

During the 2008 election cycle, political donors in the sprawling Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metropolitan area who gave more than $200 favored Obama with more than $2 for every $1 McCain received. According to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, Obama collected $1.36 million from donors in this region. McCain, meanwhile, received about $660,300.

Across the entire state of North Carolina, Obama also reaped more financial success than McCain.

But there are no guarantees that Obama will even win the state in which he'll almost assuredly be renominated: he barely won North Carolina in 2008, and the state has generally trended Republican in recent election cycles.

• Read more about the 2012 presidential election.
• Check out our gallery of Whispers political caricatures.
• See where John McCain gets his campaign funds.