• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, July 20, 2007

Programmers take note: A JP Morgan analyst wrote Thursday that 2008 presidential contenders are flush with cash. So far, the slate of candidates has raised almost $300 million as a group, with $140 million coming in during 2Q, analyst John Blackledge wrote in a report.

Tellingly, the report--the second in an ongoing series--carries "a political advertising bonanza" moniker.

Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are leading the pack, the report said, with second-quarter totals of $33 million and $27 million, respectively.

Leading Republicans trailed noticeably, with Mitt Romney pulling in $21 million, and Rudy Giuliani gathering $18 million.

Blackledge expects the presidential candidates to continue to raise funds at a healthy pace in the third quarter and throughout the rest of 2007, as we head into the primary season in early '08.

The most likely beneficiaries are local TV and radio stations, as well as some cable news channels.