This, compared to the $18 million raised in third quarter.

Politico:

The sources said that his overall take of the year - his campaign raised funds starting in April - is on track to be roughly $50 million, the sources said.

While there is still a week left in the quarter, high-dollar fundraising is essentially finished for the season thanks to the holidays - and Romney is closing strong.

Romney held four events in New York City last week that snared more than $3.5 million, fundraising sources said, including events with Jets owner Woody Johnson and Elliott Associates executive Paul Singer. He also held a $1.1 million event with Chris Christie in New Jersey.

And this week, he had four fundraisers in the New York City area, including a major Citigroup-related event, sources said.

Instead of the Newt Gingrich surge prompting donors to hesitate, it impelled them to give more, two sources said, mirroring fear among establishment Republicans of the former House speaker capturing the nomination.

Every dollar that Mitt raises now is one less he has to spend from his own fortune. In 2008, it is thought that Romney spent upwards of $42 million of his own money to win the nomination. If he is the GOP choice, that number could easily double.

A minor consideration, but because Obama is likely to raise as much or more than he raised in 2008 - $750 million - GOP voters should consider Mitt's ability to partially self fund his campaign in order to narrow the gap.