Donald Trump's momentum in the poll is also aiding the candidate in the money chase with Hillary Clinton, as the Republican closes in on the $100 million milestone for campaign cash raised on line.

For years Republicans have eyed the online fundraising success of Barack Obama, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and other Democrats who built online fundraising operations.

Sanders, the Vermont Senator, used constant online contributions to fuel a a stiff challenge to Hillary Clinton in the primaries.

Now Republican Donald Trump, who made millions in boardrooms and through complex licensing arrangements, is approaching parity with Clinton in terms of his total number of donors.

Republican Donald Trump has been cultivating small contributors as he flies around the country, while also adding big bucks fundraisers to his schedule

Trump has 2.1 million donors, nearly as many as Clinton, who has 2.3 million, despite decades cultivating supporters, including through her unsuccessful but prolonged losing 2008 campaign.

Trump may already have passed the $100 million mark for contributions from those giving less than $200, Politico reported. His amount from smaller donors is expected to go well beyond what 2012 nominee Mitt Romney and 2008 nominee John McCain got.

Trump feeds his internet haul with constant online appeals to supporters, in a tone that has hints of the candidate's stye.

One on Monday read: 'The media keeps asking what I’m doing to prepare for my debate. Here’s my answer: While Hillary is listening to a team of psychologists and advisors to teach her what to say, I’m turning to the very people who got me where I am today… YOU.'

Trump makes explicit appeals for cash through email appeals to his supporters

Trump's podium invariably contains a sign urging people to text him, a method of building a list of supporters for contributions

Trump has assembled 2.1 million donors. But it's not clear they are Republican loyalists who would support the party in his absence

The candidate had a head start in fundraising with pre-established branding and near universal name recognition. The candidate campaigns in his own plane while trailed by the press

Another email appeal went, 'In 9 days, I get the honor of fighting for you in the first presidential debate against Crooked Hillary Clinton.'

In a tactic Republicans once mocked when it was first employed by Obama, an email appeal with a picture of Trump entices potential donors with the prospect of face time. 'I wanted to give you one last chance to enter to win dinner with me before the contest closes in 24 hours. We’ll fly you out to one of our fundraisers where you’ll get dinner with me as my special guest,' the Trump appeal writes.

Meanwhile, Trump has mocked Hillary Clinton for holding big-dollar events in Los Angeles and the Hamptons.

It is no surprise that Trump has a loyal base that is willing to contribute, given how he has been able to draw crowds throughout the campaign.

Operatives aren't so sure whether this will translate into party pocketbook loyalty.

'I don’t know how much these Trump donors — if he doesn’t win — want to give to the RNC,' an operative told the publication.

The campaign is eager to promote the small dollar donors, much as Sanders touted the average contribution price during his campaign. The Trump camp's efforts are aided by a media policy that keeps pool reporters away when he flies to fundraisers. His campaign typically doesn't disclose the name of the host of fundraisers he attends or the total amount raised.