New GOP star Sarah Palin makes instant plea for campaign money

St. Paul, Minn. — Sarah Palin is quick.

No more than five minutes after completing her rousing speech last night, the newly minted vice presidential candidate sent out her first national Internet fundraising appeal as a nominee seeking campaign money.

The Republican National Committee, which sponsored the pitch, is hoping that Palin’s stem-winder delivered at the national convention to a prime-time audience of millions transformed the first-term governor into Alaska gold.

The 10-paragraph note signed by Palin asks no fewer than three times for “$2,000, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25.” It also asks donors to give generously.

The missive was time-stamped at 9:10, when she, her family and presidential nominee John McCain were still on the stage of the Xcel Energy Center, basking in the Republican delegates’ four-minute ovation.

The money note says in part:

“As recent polls indicate, this year's election will be close. In tight contests, voter turnout is absolutely critical. The Obama Democrats and their liberal special interests allies are spending unprecedented amounts of money on get-out-the-vote drives.

"We must counter this effort and the nearly $1 billion the Obama Democrats and their allies will spend to defeat John McCain and our Republican candidates at all levels.  And we need your help to succeed.”

Again, the pitch asks for “$2,000, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25,” which would be “crucial to providing the advertising and get-out-the-vote programs our candidates need to fight back and win.”

The self-described hockey mom asked for the “$2,000, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25” on behalf of the Republican National Committee. The RNC can raise and spend unlimited sums on behalf of the McCain-Palin ticket.

The candidates themselves cannot raise money directly into their campaign accounts because McCain has agreed to accept an $84-million federal grant to help fund his campaign. And that money comes as soon as he accepts the nomination tonight.

Democrat Barack Obama was not far behind Palin.

At 3 a.m. today, the Democrat’s campaign sent out an e-mail saying: “I wasn't planning on sending you something tonight. But if you saw what I saw from the Republican convention, you know that it demands a response.”

The e-mail signed by campaign manager David Plouffe sought small-dollar donations, saying: “McCain's campaign has decided that desperate lies and personal attacks — on Barack Obama and on you — are the only way they can earn a third term for the Bush policies that McCain has supported more than 90 percent of the time. ...

"But you can send a crystal clear message. Enough is enough. Make your voice heard loud and clear by making a $5 donation right now."

The amounts raised by the appeals won't become clear until late October, when the campaigns must file their September fundraising reports.

— Dan Morain

Photo credit: Joshua Roberts / Bloomberg News

Comments

[steve]

I get emails nearly everyday from Obama asking for my money, what's the big deal?

[Peter]

Sarah Hit it out of the Park, Congrats Sarah Palin, Youll be a great Vice President., Or President for that matter. If you want to learn more about Sarah Palin or her Back Ground they have alot of Background Info, Pics, Videos, about Sarah and her Family. http://www.veeppeek.com The Next Big Scadal She will have to overcome will be her daughers, boyfriend. http://www.hotpres.com

[Tom]

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

Associated Press

[Mike]

What a load of crap. A candidate asked for campaign money. Oh wow, that's a real big news story. What a scoop! You guys are fishing for anything at all you can say to cast this woman in a negative light.

[Bill]

There is no question that I will heed Governor Palin's call for campaign donations as her speech has definitely energized me; however, when I make my donation, it will be to Senator Obama's campaign. We do not need another right wing conservative in the White House who believes everything for which she stands is "God's will." She is nothing more than Dick Chaney in a dress.

[Beatrice]

I'm Hillary's supporter and I will send my donation to McCain/Palin's campaign.

I'm so happy that Palin was picked. She is all we hope to have. Bad and/or good time we must proud for our Nation.

I'm happy Palin made this statement, whereas Michelle Obama has never been proud of her country, just this time when her husband runs for Prez created by the extreme leftist media.

They said nasty thing about Hillary now they do it again to Palin.

GO SARAH!! GOD Bless and be with you.

[RadianChalant]

It is unbelievable how the Republican party can tell lie after lie about Barack Obama and even about themselves. I already sent in my donation to Barack Obama, on 09/03/08. The Republicans will have more wars, everywhere around the world. Republicans win = United States demise. The Republicans are so negative. Barack for President.

[JOJO]

The party will be over tonight and the real talk and walk starts tomorw.

[Cory]

$500 for McCain/Palin...just sent! No Socialists in the White House!

[Original Pechanga]

Please LISTEN to Governor Palin. Support the Republican candidates. We need experience, not a community organizer to lead us. We need someone to VOTE for their positions, not to say present.

We need a WOMAN to do a man's job and she's certainly as qualified as the Democrats top of the ticket.

Uh, LAT, is there anything wrong with asking for money?

[Duke]

Do you think you could have any more of a biased headline?

She was on stage. Obviously she didn't send the request. A staffer sent it. You should try being a news organization, not the Enquirer.

[PFJ]

It didn't take long for conservative women like Peggy Noonan and Dr Laura to start trashing the VP Pick. RIghtfully so. You have already asked conservatives to prop up a happy face to try to cover up McCains abysmal choice, asking for money too is really pushing it.

[Inverse137]

OK, the neo-con whack jobs will jump on this but who really cares what they think anymore?

I actually like McCain. He is a good old fashioned Reagan republican. He is not one of these uneducated neo-con lunatics. He is not one of the dolts that destroyed my republican party.

Now, with that said, I can not begin to understand his logic in pick Palin. Other than the fact that she has breasts and is not to hard on the eyes she has no qualifications.

It is like Bush putting the Horse and Pony Show guy in charge of FEMA except this isn't cronyism.

She is Governor of the 47th most populated state in the Union. She was mayor of a town that had a population that couldn't fill most Minor League baseball parks. She has zero international experience and describes herself as a "hockey mom from Alaska."

Can you just picture the potluck state dinners?

[Inverse137]

OK, the neo-con whack jobs will jump on this but who really cares what they think anymore?

I actually like McCain. He is a good old fashioned Reagan republican. He is not one of these uneducated neo-con lunatics. He is not one of the dolts that destroyed my republican party.

Now, with that said, I can not begin to understand his logic in pick Palin. Other than the fact that she has breasts and is not to hard on the eyes she has no qualifications.

It is like Bush putting the Horse and Pony Show guy in charge of FEMA except this isn't cronyism.

She is Governor of the 47th most populated state in the Union. She was mayor of a town that had a population that couldn't fill most Minor League baseball parks. She has zero international experience and describes herself as a "hockey mom from Alaska."

Can you just picture the potluck state dinners?

[FC Newton]

A real woman and oh how the feminists hate her. This is so much fun to watch. Of course the LA Times cant find anything nice to say about her either. I'm glad I canceled my subscription long ago.

[RJinchi]

she had a chance to tell us what she is about, instead she kept to the speech writers and played into attacking a rival - very poor choices. Based on this - Obama will be getting my vote.

[Kathy]

Well, how dare those greedy republicans ask for money for their cause. After all, Obama's using only his own money right? You media types just can't stop spinning can you?

[Stephen Moore]

What an important news story! A political candidate asking for money, no less! The horror, the shame.

[For Paige & Emili]

You can diffuse the real issues if you want by smearing a 17 year old but realize every time you do there is a girl/woman somewhere in an identical situation and she has an entire family with a base of friends that will make you pay in November. This tact is making people see what true hypocrites you "open-minded" liberals are.

Besides trying to pull the same hatchet job on Sarah that you laid on Hillary, the incessant whining from the left is sooooooo predictable - 2000, 2004 and now in 2008 - makes me think the little hockey mom fit the moose antler right square in your *sses.

Got to absolutely love the comparison between "community organizer" and mayor. It does make you ponder –
1) Exactly how big a budget does a "community organizer" manage?
2) How many people are on the payroll of a "community organizer"?
3) What kind of public works projects does a “community organizer” get involved in?
4) Do you have to punch a time clock or just hang out on the street comer when you're a "community organizer"? Is that what those guys are doing in the low income neighborhoods who hang out at the intersections? Hell, I thought they were all selling crack.

So we have Sarah Palin who has managed a city, a state, took on special interest, fought corruption AND raised a family. Can you please explain what Norealjobama has been doing with his Ivy League education besides cavorting with racists and communists and “organizing communities”?

Joe Biden saying someone delivered a speech without substance is like saying Pete Rose claims there gambling in baseball. What an imbecile!!! The only speech Biden ever delivered with substance was the one in which he was nailed for plagiarism.

To me, the only question that remains is how many times team Nojobama/Biden soiled their pants during her pasting of all things phony. Start brushing up on your “community organizer” skills Nojobama; it looks like you’ll be looking for work come November. “Work”- sorry, didn’t mean to offend any liberals out there.

Please Sarah, nail their scrawny asses for every woman who has ever been minimized – including Hillary, the latest most public example.

[alternateuniverse]

John McCain is gaming the system whose rules he wrote. Big suprise. He takes 84,000,000 in tax dollars, criticises Obama for not taking public money, then continues to raise and spend money for the fall campaign as if there are no restrictions. Obama was right not to take tax payers money and to say that the Mccain-Fiengold campaign finance bill is a farce.

[Jill Sliverman]

The following picture of sarah shows her wearing two dead animals on her shoulder.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_eeBrCFDUUOc/R9XEbzkqrQI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BOPi0LKFI2k/s1600-h/Sarahwintercoat.jpg

Animal rights activists take note. This woman became governor of Alaska. She is willing to kill animals for their fur.

[Paul Bart]

I have never made political contributions... until recently.
I contributed $1,500 on Friday morning, when Sarah Palin for VP announcement was made. That morning, speaking to my friend, I learnt that she did exactly the same! And if necessary we will all contribute once again - all the way to the max!

[tIM]

Boy am I glad the writer of this article is not running for the GOP-- how would he raise money for his campaign?? What would he wait for???When would be the right time to ask for money? AND he wouldn't ask for large amounts because, why?
lol

[Bryan D.]

LA Slimes keeps reminding why I left LA after 2 decades!

[DFP]

Wow! A political ticket appealing for money!
What an eye-opening post, Dan!
Give me a break ... Where was your paper on that ABC reporter being arrested outside a hotel wanting to film big DNC donors? Hello?

[tea time]

That Sarah Palin has the nerve to flaunt that pregnant daughter at us. obviously there were no family values taught there like being a virgin until you MARRIED. What a hippocrit and for all of our religious leaders in our party to just pass that off as" Oh a mistake" "she's young". Well it doesnt fly in my book and that was never the way I raised my girls. Shame on you Ms Palin. Your an unfit mother. And for you John, you just lost my vote, ill be sitting this one out! What were you thinking?

[Beltway Greg]

The John McCain "Straight Talk Express," "The Maverick" etc. whatever way he seeks to define himself hit a new low with the selection of running mate Sarah Palin. McCain is hardly anyone's maverick. In fact he was a first class goof ball who finished near the bottom of his Naval Academy Class who got in because he was a legacy, sound familiar,
who managed to wreck three jets before he was shot down over Hanoi. Now yes, as a former Marine, I have both great sympathy for the treatment he suffered at the hands of his captors. In 2000 "The Maverick" refused to address the issue of the Confederate Battle flag that flew over the State House in South Carolina despite being accused of fathering an out-of-wedlock child by Rove & Co. In 2004 he had the chance to come to the aid of John Kerry when, once again, Rove & Co. this time assisted by T. Boone Pickens did a number on him. Once again he sat on his hands. Fast forward to this week. The person that McCain really wanted as his VP was Joe Lieberman but, once again, he let himself be talked out of it because the Evangelicals would've flipped. John McCain may be a war hero, but in the civilian world he's just another feckless officer's son.

Beltway Greg

[Joy]

So Palin made a speech last night when she slammed everyone, used fear, negativity, et al.. She even managed to bring up "the war on terror". Classic GOP and Rove--no real surprise.
As for the media slam. By the mere fact this was mentioned in her sppeeach means the media hit a nerve. Although it was OK to slam Hilary Clinton, the GOP did not like it when the media slammed Palin. A word of advise, get used to it.

Palin may be able to energize a crowd of die hard republicans who are in need of such a stimulus. Let's see how you do on the big stage. You simply don't have the experience necessary (and no, being mayor does not quite suffice). It's great to FINALLY see a woman nominated to a party known for such sexism -- there were many other qualified candidates from which to choose. The difference is they are Pro-choice and the GOP can't have that if they want to pander to the evangelic and conservative right.

If the media is too tough you don't belong here. And, yes you are a better speaker than McCain--but then again so are most.

[steve]

Anyone home, moderators? Hello? I get emails everyday from the Obama campaign asking me for my money so what's your point?

[Heath]

"Drill, baby, drill!"

I was horrified at the ignorance of my fellow humans
sitting in attendance at the convention last night.

I have a beautiful baby girl. Everything I do, I do for
her. Every decision I make, I think of her. Her future,
and the futures of her children, mean more to me
than my own life's prospects.

More drilling, and subsequently, oil consumption, are
not going to add to my child's quality of life without
proven, compounded, complex consequences with
exponential natures. Any lesser thought process is just
flat out denial of the facts.

To elect yet another politician based on these types of promises would be yet another political tragedy brought on by the ignorance and selfishness of the redneck
majority.

"Drill, baby, drill."

Now I know how Secretary of State Madeline Albright felt
when she went to China and was treated to a performance of a thousand people twirling little missiles on sticks.

Horrified.

[Frieda]

How can one not get excited over Sarah Palin. Self made woman from Middle Class, her rise from PTA to Mayor's office to be a governor of Alaska with $40 Billion budget to oversee. wow, wow, wow

I wish Sarah was running for President.

Obama's people are saying that she read well from the TelePrompTer, but I just heard that her TelePrompTer was not working well last night and she did it an awesome job.

As a working mother of 2 sons and 44 years old, I want to see Sarah in the White House to represent all soccer moms.

check this blogger, she has more news on Sarah:

http://governorpalin.blogspot.com

[Erik]

Hey reporter, your article contains a crucial typo. You are printing a falsehood when you quote the B.O. email thusly:

"But you can send a crystal clear message. Enough is enough. Make your voice heard loud and clear by making a $5 donation right now."

I received the email. It clearly asks for $25 not $5, I just checked. this is a deliberate mis-characterization on your part. Yellow journalism. Scum. I would say check your facts, but you know what are doing.

[HopeForBetter]

For the first time ever, I made a conation to a political campaign, to Obama/BIden ticket. Palin is way too negativve and divisive. I want a leader who can inspire and lead.

Also I found this on CNN blog.
Palin mentions in her speech that she had a message for families with Special Needs children...that they will have an advocate if she and McCain are elected. Sounds good but Palin cut funding for a project for a non profit I work for that serves Special Needs children and adults. This organization is less than a 7 minute walk from the Governors mansion here in Juneau Alaska. The organization is called REACH Inc. or REACHAK.ORG. Here is the link listed below:
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/070107/sta_budget001.shtml less

[Heath]

"Drill, baby, drill!"

I was horrified at the ignorance of my fellow humans
sitting in attendance at the convention last night.

I have a beautiful baby girl. Everything I do, I do for
her. Every decision I make, I think of her. Her future,
and the futures of her children, mean more to me
than my own life's prospects.

More drilling, and subsequently, oil consumption, are
not going to add to my child's quality of life without
proven, compounded, complex consequences with
exponential natures. Any lesser thought process is just
flat out denial of the facts.

To elect yet another politician based on these types of promises would be yet another political tragedy brought on by the ignorance and selfishness of the redneck
majority.

"Drill, baby, drill."

Now I know how Secretary of State Madeline Albright felt
when she went to China and was treated to a performance of a thousand people twirling little missiles on sticks.

Horrified.

[Big Daddy]

Hey Dan,

I have a prediction for you: The amounts raised will be astounding! Gov. Sarah Palin, soon to be Vice Presiden Sarah Palin, ROCKED the political world last night... she and soon to be President John McCain will bring the REAL desired shake up in Washington that the everyday American needs and wants!

Action is the word of the day...!

McCain - Palin ticket will be the Champion ticket at the end of the day!

[Willie]

It really isn't fair that Barack Obama said he would accept the $84 million dollar grant too; in fact, he put it in writing and so did John McCain. Obama backed out of course to obtain unlimited private funding, while McCain stuck to his word. It makes me and everyone else in America concerned if he will keep his word or not.

[Web Smith]

This is a woman who thinks that the deployment of her 19 year old child to Iraq is such a good thing that she not only announced it to every radical Muslim in the world, she threw it in their faces.

The reward and promise of eternal bliss has, most likely, already been offered.

When he comes home in a bag, it'll probably just be one of those up and down things that families go through.

She had a long time to think about this before she did it and still put her child in harms way for her own advancement.

Do you really need to know more?

[Kirsten]

To Erik, 10:47am: My email asks for $5 or more. I've never donated to Obama before (though I plan to). My guess is that this isn't "Yellow journalism" as you claim, but simply that the Obama campaign sent slightly different appeals to different parts of their mailing list. It's called list segmentation. Crazy what you can do with technology these days!

[X_POLYGAMIST WIFE]

Palin begs funds for GOP? She & McCain should go on welfare and join the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) in Colorado City, Arizona where there are plenty of down syndrome babies, tons of teenage pregnancies, and ALL the women support white male supremacy.

http://www.bankingonheaven.com

Free white slavery in America! Vote for Obama!

[Elaine]

She's got the Democrats feeling VERY uneasy.

They underestimated her and she hit a "homerun" last night.

They've got my vote and $100.00 donation!

No SOCIALISTS in the White House is very well said!

[germanguy]

Sarah's buddy before becoming governor. But try as they may, the truth is out in the news already, so you repugs don't need to waste your time in crying foul (that's still a hockey term, isn't it?). Here's a refreshener for you of politics as usual in Alaska. (My bet is denials are in the air.) You may or may not of heard or read it but here it is:
Don Young, as chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Alaska's lone congressional representative for 32 years, the elder statesman wrangled $941 million for Alaska in the bill, making Alaska, the nation's third least populated state, the fourth-biggest recipient of transportation funds. The money for the bill is fed by a gas tax at the pump, but this slush fund isn't redistributed to all Americans equally: The bill spends $86 per person on a national average; it spends an estimated $1,500 on every Alaskan. What's wrong with these numbers??? I get $86 and somebody in Alaska gets $1500??? Bull S&&T!!!

Ho Ho Ho it gets better... Included in the bill's special Alaska projects is $231 million for a bridge that will connect Anchorage to Port MacKenzie, a rural area that has exactly one resident, north of the town of Knik, pop. 22. The land is a network of swamps between a few hummocks of dry ground. Remember now this is while Sarah was only a small town mayor. Later as governor, she fought corruption at the state level. Even knowing what Young and Stevens were doing in Washington, she did nothing about it. This is the lady that you all want to be working for you in the White House??? Are we nuts or something? She is only going to be loyal to Alaska PEOPLE!!! She wouldn't be below the Canadian border if McCain didn't smoothed-talked her into a VP position.

Here's a question for you all. How many times has Sarah or her family been in the "United States"? Not counting the time she went to school here.

OK. Don't have enough to w a picture yet? Try this... it's a real kicker...

Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said pet projects like this 'bridge to nowhere' could have played a role in a Minnesota bridge collapse that killed 13 people earlier this year.

Let me repeat what he said "pet projects like this 'bridge to nowhere' could have played a role in a Minnesota bridge collapse that killed 13 people earlier this year."

He went on to say "Maybe if we had done it right, maybe some of that money would have gone to inspect those bridges and other bridges around the country," McCain told a group of people in a town-hall style meeting in Ankeny, Iowa. Do I hear sounds of 'denial' from the repugs? What really pisses me off is why when Congress wanted to divert the money towards the victims of Katrina, didn't Palin step in and tell Senator Stevens to stop fighting for it? I HAD FAMILY THERE WHO HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT HELL.

[germanguy]

In Anchorage, with a violent crime rate that is double the national average, the increase might be due to a rise in youth and gang violence last year, Monegan said.

Statewide, property crimes were slightly down, as were forcible rapes. But the rape rate was double the national average, in keeping with Alaska's long-standing trend.

Good job Sarah. By the way, rape is in keeping with Alaska's long-standing trend? Must be a man's country.

[Jill T.]

I sincerely hope 9/11 happens again...see how "protected" you'll feel with Palin leading this country.

[Lezlie]

to Jill T: You must, undoubtedly, be listening to too many "hope" speeches from Obama. If you truly "hope for another 9/11", I suggest you find yourself a new country to call home IMMEDIATELY!