A week after his last money plea, Obama asks everyone for another $5

It seems like only a week ago that The Ticket was whining about Barack Obama whining that after raising $605 million through September to buy the presidency, he was asking all of us one last time for just $10 more for some reason.

And we figured out that, October money aside, he'd have to spend $12.5 million a day just to unload September's haul by Nov. 4.

The Democrat is already outspending the Republican by three and four-to-one, which if it was the other way around would surely be unconscionable.

So last night Obama dumped several million bucks on several TV networks, which they don't mind, to talk at us slickly for 27 minutes about his change that we need.

(Transcript and video here.)

And when that was over, pingo, here comes another e-mail from Windy City HQ. You'll never guess what. He wants more money.  More. Still.

It was a blessedly short message. He called us by our first name and signed only his first name; so we must be pals. He put the entire fate of his historic campaign in our hands. "The campaign is in your hands," he wrote.

Which is a pretty big responsibility, on top of adjusting to a Pennsylvania team winning a World Series.

The good news is he only wants $5 from each of us this time. (But, alas, no car magnet this time.)

$605 million here. And $605 million there. Pretty soon, this change business is getting kinda expensive. And we haven't even gotten to the increased taxes part of any new administration.

Barack calls this money pitch "a donation for the Final Push," which we were kinda thinking or hoping was last week. So next week we'll probably get a plea for the First Push for the Next Drive.

Enough already!

(Another thought: Maybe it's not the $5. Maybe it's really the names, addresses and e-mails they're after now for the ongoing political operation. The five bucks is just frosting.)

(UPDATE: A day later and we just got another pitch, this one from Michelle Obama, for five more dollars.)

--Andrew Malcolm

BTW, automatic alerts of each new Ticket item are free and available by registering your cellphone here.

Photo credit: CafePress.com

Comments

[Loretta]

Unlike taxes,the great thing about donations is that YOU DON"T HAVE TO GIVE. Are you really faulting the guy for just asking? If you want to fault anyone, it should be the Republicans for whipping up Democrats into a donating, voter-registering frenzy. And compare it to how money flies around in our society at large: after giving money for leukemia and MS ONE TIME, I have been baraged by their mailings ever since. Arent't the constant commercials, print ads, ads on taxis, and ads on the sides of buses that urge us to buy things we don't need much much the same?

[chimera]

I find BO's breaking of his promise to accept public financing, which was a way to clean up politics and limit this gross kind of spending, to be appalling. The amount of money he is spending to get a squeaky lead shows he's not the juggernaut the media keep calling him. He is just buying votes. He hasn't spent enough to get my vote yet, and I have been a registered Democrat for 31 years. I don't vote for someone who is pro-death penalty, pro-FISA, anti-gun control, anti-GLBT, misogynistic, anti-affirmative action, and so incredibly narcissistic he takes it to new levels.

[Mia]

Never in history has the American public stepped up and financially supported a campaign like this. Instead of finding a way to demise our efforts, (including Obama's) we should be applauded for showing the system we are not joking. No one gave if they couldn't afford to. Yet we proved strength comes in numbers, otherwise, the republican terrorist message would have seeped through the minds of millions. I think that it is brilliant that we, the people, own this campaign. If someone has it to give, they should. If you don't have it, close the email and move on. Power to the people.

[Carol]

He isn't in need of the cash, but it is the number of donors that counts. Also, people probably put their vote where they put their money.

I hope Obama and the Democratic Congresspeople swamp the election. We need to quickly get this country moving and working for the people.

PS Do the polls catch all the young people who only have cell phones?

[Valerius]

Boy, its amazing how much money that down-trodden middle class has to donate to the Obama campaign, isn't it? I mean, the way Obama talks about them they can barely feed their kids. If they have so much money to donate, maybe they don't need the handout that will come from the confiscation of income from the wealthy.

So Barack wants to take money from the wealthy and give it to the middle class...I guess so they can donate even more money to Obama?

Obama has more than 6 times the money McCain has and yet he wants more. This is the same guy who complained about the problems with campaign financing and pledged to take public funds. All I know is McCain kept his word, Obama did not. So how do we know Obama is telling the truth about anything when he spends his private financing on 30 minute infomercials?

Obama is not change. He is more of the same Washington politics where money talks and the people pay the price.

McCain does what he says. Obama says one thing and does another.

[Katie]

I totally agree with your blog about the campaign money. In light of our current economic crisis I find his spending to be irresponsible and insulting to the mother who cant feed her children or to the family of 4 that is living in their car because the banks kicked them out of their home. I know that these guys have to run a campaign... but $605 million... that could make quite a dent in a national financial issue. Oabama has oversaturated the media with his fluffy speaches that do absolutely nothing to affect me, the undecided voter, in this election. I have NEVER wanted election day to get here as much as I do now.

[Sherry]

Yes, Loretta, I think Andrew IS faulting BO for asking for MORE money, and so am I. I've never seen such greed in all my life! I didn't watch his infomercial last night, and if he's elected, I won't watch TV until he's out of Washington unless somebody invents a television BO filter.
McCain/Palin

[Randy]

It's the attitude! Raise money by whatever means possible, taxes, donations, and then redistribute it in the form of information that the poor need. I guess the rich media moguls who are actually getting the money will be taxed for it. Kind of the old, "here hold this bag" idea.

Did Obama use his 30 minutes to tell people who need money how to get it without him? What did Obama do to help those who need help today? There is a Chinese saying, 'In a revolution, grab whatever you can'. It seems that this is the key feature of Obama's campaign and policies.

[PookyBear]

"Are you really faulting the guy for just asking?" Yes! I also fault professional beggars and telemarketers for asking over and over and OVER again. It's the same thing every political season--the party that's on top suddenly justifies every despicable, hypocritical, and stupid thing their candidate does. And this time it's the Democrats' turn.

[Papa Ray]

Just remember that Obama always looks to the futrue (just ask him) so he is thinking that even if he wins, he will need that little bit extra to loan to the Dems so that they can get more congressvarmits elected.

Of course if he loses, he will need the money for his ol' lady...cause she is going to be super pissed.

Plus, he might need some money to run for Senator or even President again.

Papa Ray

[sigh]

"If you want to fault anyone, it should be the Republicans for whipping up Democrats into a donating, voter-registering frenzy."

Should read: "If you want to fault anyone, it should be the Republicans for whipping up all these illegal untraceable foreign donors coming through Obama's website."

There. Fixed it for you.

[Robert Haney]

@ Loretta:

Ummm...you ARE aware that McCain took public financing and locked his "massive spending" to 84 million, right? And that McCain and Obama had a written agreement to both do the same. The same agreement that Obama decided to just ignore when he figured out the massive amounts of money he could rake in by dropping the agreement cold with a bunch of nonsense excuses that haven't come to pass. How could that in any way be blamed on republicans? Really?

[JWF]

Look at the bright side. This time next year he'll just confiscate it from you so you won't have to deal with those pesky requests.

[Joe Kool]

Why doesnt Obama just ask for donations from all the billionaires and hollywood millionaires and not raise taxes? After all many of them including Warren Buffett say they dont mind paying more taxes. If so, why dont they just pass the hat? Obama could cruise the nation collecting mega bucks. If hes raised $1 billion for a little old campaign surely he could do more. $1 billion is pocket change to Warren Buffett and George Soros.

[Colorado]

Don't complain Democrats, and suck it up. You want the Commie Dude in office don't you?

Anyone with half a brain would not vote for this guy.

Colorado

[Mark]

Now thats change you can believe in!

The most expensive campaign in the history of politics. The largest 39 days (#1-#39) of campaign spending in the history of politics.

Yet most people think he will not raise taxes or increase spending. Just look at his campaign. At least after the election he will not have to ask for your money, he can just take it.

How is liberal spending policies working in CA today. Just look around.

[Joanne600]

Here's a fact for you. Obama is running countless commercials in the very red state of South Carolina which will vote overwhelmingly for McCain. Obama doesn't need more money he just needs to spend it more wisely. He'll spend our tax dollars just as wisely. God help us if the socialist comes to power.

[No Place Left to Hide]

With all due respect, I think I'll allow billionaires such as George Soros, the Saudi Royal Family and Warren Buffet to continue to finance Obama's greedy campaign since they have much more to gain than the typical $5 donor does! Ironically, Warren Buffet pays himself a comparitively meager salary of $100,000 a year - the remainder of his vast wealth tucked safely away in tax free charitable foundations and trusts. Remember folks: income tax isn't a wealth tax! It only hurts the little people who are trying, through hard work and NEW income, to increase their own wealth above and beyond their current lot in life. Billionaires like the Kennedy family, Warren Buffet, George Soros and Oprah Winfrey are going to do just fine in an Obama administration, thank you very little.

[Free America]

Get used to this if he gets elected. Every year he will say he needs more and more. He'll do that until we are all broke.

[Mark B.]

So what if he asks for money? So what if people give? So what if he raises more than he'll ever need? It's not like all that campaign money goes into his personal account when it's over. Reasons he needs extra money: 1. Cover an losses after the accounting is complete and he has to refund ineligible donations, 2. Assist other democratic candidates in critical races in the mid-term elections, 3. Jump start his re-election campaign - you know, since he's going to win this one and all. I've happily given $25 a month since the primaries, and just because of your article, I'm giving an extra $5 right now. Why? Because I'd rather spend a grand now to get our country out of this mess than lose a grand a year or more in the next four years with idiot senior and idiot junior at the helm. I mean, at least Dick Cheney has a brain - it's the brain of a sociopath, but he has one. Having McCain and Palin in the White House would be Dumb and Dumber: The Reality Show... wait a minute, why didn't they try that tactic. America loves them some Survivor.

[Beddgelert]

At some point all of you people sending him money will realize he is a professional con-artist, all flare not a bit of substance, its like buying a pet rock. The reality is; if he gets elected his four years in office (if he stays in for the duration) will be the longest period of time he has ever held a job. This whole notion of change and hope is pathetic, I can't understand how so many people have fallen for it.

[Mark B.]

Let's stop being so politically correct and just state the cold, hard facts. John McCain is an ignorant, witless fraud, riding on the coat tails of daddy and granddaddy's success. He graduated at the bottom of his class, yet somehow made it into pilot training. He crashed planes before and during the war, and when he was captured he violated every single article of the Armed Forces Code of Conduct. When he was released, he made a career of the amalgam of his family's history and his "War Hero" status - the latter of which is undeserved. I proudly and honorably served my country, and I take it as a direct insult every time I hear him tout his experience as a POW as a measure of his readiness and experience. The only thing he's ever been ready for is the easy way out. I am not a Barrack Obama fanboi, and I am the first to admit that he has character flaws just like the rest of us; however, he is intelligent, informed, and calculated. That is what this country needs right now, and even if you don't like Barrack Obama, you have to see it is better than the alternative: a man who would sell out his brothers in arms and betray his country for a softer bed and a little less torture. People aren't donating to Obama's campaign because they're deluded; they're donating because they want to do everything they can to make sure we don't have four more years of tyranny.

[vicsmith]

That's right Loretta, get used to giving your money to him now, others later if he wins. Great choice. And you compare donating to a cancer and ms foundation to giving money to someone who spends over $12 million a day on a campaign. Wow, just wow.

McCain/Palin 2008

[HillaryVoter4McCain]

Wow, is this tsupposed to be the LA Times idea of a hard-hitting piece on Obama. Why not just bludgeon him with unicorns and candy?

[Haint]

Here's an idea: If you don't like that he is asking for more money, don't donate.

Its that simple.

[Kashif Mumtaz]

There is nothing wrong with asking for more money. If the Mccain campaign wasn't running such a negative, dishonorable, and untruthful campaign, maybe Obama wouldn't have to spend so much money defending himself.

And Colorado, please don't mention anything about halving half a brain. Everyone knows that Mccain/Palin have pretty much secured the retard vote. You included.

[leonsue@echoicemi.com]

I have followed the Blogs all the way through the primaries and have noticed something very disturbing. In the Primary Blogs the Obama supporters were name callers by a much higher percentage than any other candidates supporters. Mark B. is obviously a longtime Obama supporter with his "IDIOT,IGNORANT, WITLESS FRAUD, BRAIN OF A SOCIOPATH, DUMB AND
DUMBER" name calling. Until now I thought only elementary children did this on the playground. It is frightening to see people who think they are the only intelligent people in this country can only express themselves with childish name calling. For the rest of us please check the blogs and see if I am correct

[Trickle Down Fever]

"when he figured out the massive amounts of money he could rake in"

Can someone explain to me how Obama "knew" he would rake in MASSIVE amounts of money. How exactly did he "figure" this out?

There are lots of sites run on and for donations on the net. MASSIVE amounts of money is no easy matter and far from a sure bet. $600M in donations means 120M people needed to donate $5 each. Obviously the math isn't that simplistic. But then, how DO you project yourself at the beginning of a campaign to "knowing" or "figuring" that MASSIVE amounts of money will be yours.

This isn't a campaign known for taking wild gambits. The Obama campaign is one serious non-stop control-freak lizard, right down to which words are deemed permissible in their world view. They must have had convincing enough insider numbers to make them publicly go back on their word.

This article and some of the comments are spot on.

1) CHANGE IS GONNA COST BIG TIME! That's the message and nobody's saying "Boo!" about Obama spending $600M on his "make-up" artistry.

Obama needs double McCain's spending to eke out what's looking more and more like just a marginal lead. Not a lot of "bang for the buck", is it.

2) Why should Obama be targeting the low-income bracket with his $5 donation campaign when his tax policy argues for going after Wall St. and the CEO class. Why not target the Warren Buffets and George Soros by starting at what $5 would be in their wallet, say $50,000?

3) Now that he's collected so much, more than any other election TOTAL, why doesn't he "redistribute" it to those in need according to his own principles instead of spending it as a true-to-form "trickle-down" economy format?

"Trickle-down"? Targeting the middle to low income? Barry O? Oh, say it ain't so. Of course none of this will be valid once BO and his "brothers and sisters" BAN "trickle-down" as "racist" and "unacceptable". C'mon BO, where's your BAN bat?

[Faith]

Sure, it nice to support a good course. Definitely Obama needs all the money he can get to fight off John Mccain and all supporters should join hands togther to ensure victory for Obama even if we have to give a little more.

[Faith]

People should learn to find out the truth. Afterall, the truth sets you free. McCain is a liar and thats is how he intends to become the president of the geartest country on this earth. McCain claim he has honor while he doesnot. Please check your facts before you condem Obama and dont believe anything you hear from McCain until you do your own due deligence.

[JYoung]

Some of you are worried about socialism that may come with Obama election. What do you think of receiving unemployment check when you lose your job. How about social security benefit or the medicare benefit when you reach the tired old age? Those are all part of socialism in working. I am sure you would't refuse those benefits!!!

[K Johnson]

It's amazing to me to hear all these people complaining about Obama's ability to raise such large sums of money. For years the Republicans have out raised and out spent Democrats. Suddenly, the Republicans are in fear of losing control and are now looking for answers, such as: "We had a financial disadvantage, because Obama went back on his word to accept public financing." Well guess what, donations for millions of Americans is "Public Financing". The only difference is that it is done on a volunteer basis, not via tax money. Besides, because of Obama's decision to accept true "Public Financing" he has saved the American tax payers $84 million and prevented the Republicans from hijacking another election thru their 529 groups.

I think a lot of you all are really missing the big picture here because of your own personal bias. The large sums of money Obama has been able to raise represent how bad people want “Change" and how strong their beliefs are that Obama is that candidate that can get it done.

So, I know my blog hasn't changed any minds, but I just thought I put in my 2 cents.

As a wise man once told me,
"Men Lie, Women Lie, Numbers Don't"

I think almost $1 billion raised by a President candidate that was once considered a long shot speaks a lot of "Truth".

Just my Thoughts!

[riy]

Don't blame Barack for taking small donations from millions of people. Blame the candidates who take millions of dollars from billion dollar companies who know it will only help them. all you idiots who think he doesn't need to do this must have forgotten the lies of the swift boat campaigns. republicans (bush) have screwed over america for 8 years now. if it's not affecting you, maybe you are one of the millionaire's who only cares about your tax rate going up. whatever it takes to get these fear mongering republicans out of office and to get our country back when bush wasn't in office (no 9/11 no katrina, no 2nd great depression) if this doesn't bother you, you are just another idiot in this country. barack has the guts to stand up to this fear mongering machine. get your wallet out and donate $5 instead of buying another worthless cofee

[Enlightened Voter]

Are you kidding me with these comments? "Don't vote the socialist into office?" Seriously? Do you know what a socialist even IS? Let me enlighten you:

In a capitalistic society, the worker does not get fair value for their service. Because of this, the owner gets to become rich. If us "workers" were getting paid fair value, the owners wouldn't be able to accumulate so much wealth.

A socialist society believes that workers should be paid a wage equal to the value of their work.

Which one sounds better to you? Someone explain why so many of you out there think that being a "socialist" is the worst thing in the world. Do your research, people. A capitalistic society that goes unregulated breeds the kind of economy we are now living in. Fun, yeah?

[ObamaFever]

Anyone who votes McCain/Palin deserves EXACTLY what they get should that moronic duo get into the White House.

[DontInsultMyIntelligence]

This LAT blog is a waste of electronic space!

[Ed]

What the McCain camp isn't telling you is that McCain took public financing because of the flagging donations to his campaign. *However*, the public financing law doesn't prevent the RNC from spending millions of dollars (which they have -- over $160 million and the tallying isn't done The RNC paid for Sarah's wardrobe and not the McCain campaign. The RNC is also paying for all of the robocalls).

The DNC does not have the deep pockets that the RNC has and didn't have that kind of cash to fund independent ads that would not be subject to public finance. So for Obama to compete with the RNC he needed more funding.

So in this case, it is McCain who is duplicitous. He is crying poor while the puppetmasters at the RNC spend.

[matthew neuzil]

read the guy's info. He worked as press secretary to Laura Bush. Do you expect him to support Obama?? Duh!!!

[Brandi]

Hell yeah he wants more donations....where do you think all the leftover campaign money goes when this is over??? Straight into his pocket. I might just run in the next election...I've got a few bills I'd like someone else to pay!

[abel]

actually i have rejected unemployment benefits - i rather clean a toilet if my business is ran aground.

actually i have never wished to place my burden on others through medicare & social security - even though i have placed funds into these social accepted norms, it is definitely not because of you it i because there are still some worthy people out there

so please do not insist you represent every minority

btw i am not voting. that is called true freedom. label me unpatriotic, a sell out, traitor whatever. but as a lost sheep i don't think following another lost sheep who claims some party will help me out. politicians look at you as cows - tell you freedom and then you believe cameras on the street are there for your safety, tell you rights and then everything on the news is about children and dogs and woman, but the man who is willing to clean toilets is overrated i suppose

[Angel]

for all of the tricks that Republicans have done to steal elections, work on voter suppression and overall usurp democracy...if that 25 bucks gets monitors to the polls, people on the ground driving the elderly to the booths, and feeding campaign volunteers putting in 12 hour days in the name of democracy...it's worth it and would give more if I could!!! NO MORE STOLEN ELECTIONS!!!

[attack tired]

So what he ask for 5 dollars. I gave to Obama and this was the first time I ever gave to a political campaign. Obama knows the value of the working class, that why he encourage everyone to get involved. If you don't like Obama plan then try to pin down McCain plan. You can't because he has no plan, but beside taking shots at Obama plan. As far as socialism you don't have to look as far as the repub. Palin redistrubute wealth from oil company to everyone in Alaska. Reagan started the earned income credit that gives working poor people ckecks. So bad democrat when they want to help, but good repub when they help out.

[Dem40]

I've been a registered Democrat for 40 years and (in my humble opinion) the last Democrat to run for the presidency that wasn't an idiot, a coward or pervert was Bobby kennedy. What has happened to our Dem Party? We'r trying to elect a gentlemen that I wouldn't even buy a used car from. Are you kidding! This man's associations are suspect, he talks behind his constituents backs and is trying to sell us this socialist crap and we're eating it up like there's no fricken' tomorrow. I guess good people will do just about anything, including commiting suicide, when they get desparate enough. I "m voting for John McCaine this go around. At least it will be a slow bleed.

[FresnoDude]

Right, but when the bible thumpers go to church and their pastor asks yet again for another "blessing" for their church that's perfectly acceptable.

[Cranston Snort]

Remember has to fund his outdoor bash in Chicago election night...I think he's responsible for picking up the garbage (literally and figuratively)...say whatever happened to that energy conservation and environmental friendly stuff? Also aren't we in some kind of financial crises at present? I just don't get it.

Carter II cometh.

[Corntrollio]

Most of the people complaining around here about Obama not taking public financing and about his having too much money are sort of silly.

In past elections, Republicans have overwhelmed Democrats in financing by getting maximum donations from most people. Obama's money doesn't come from maximum donations from a small number of people; it comes from a HUGE volume of donations, not all of which are very large donations.

The arguments that somehow Obama's warchest in this election is a sign of corruption don't really hold very much water. The fact of the matter is that, while certainly there are people who made the maximum donation, there are many many many others who didn't make anywhere near that. If anything, his warchest is more democratic (small D) than prior candidates.

[Sherri]

More money? Really I think that is exactly how he will be with your taxes folks " One last time to raise it"! What suckers. Don't you know that info commericals never live up to their claims!

[Tami]

Obama is buying his way to the presidency........all the celebrities backing him including Oprah...
Come on America...do you really think he GETS the middle class???
Think before you vote...if it sounds too good to be true it most likely is.

[kws]

"In a capitalistic society, the worker does not get fair value for their service. Because of this, the owner gets to become rich. If us "workers" were getting paid fair value, the owners wouldn't be able to accumulate so much wealth.

A socialist society believes that workers should be paid a wage equal to the value of their work."

Where did you learn that drivel? It's not even close to being correct. I suggest that you look up a good reference on economics that covers supply and demand basics and then learn on how that can be applied to wages.

[nannyjane1]

Barak Obama , go on take the money and run woo hoo hoo, what all you foolish people don't realize is that Barak Hessein Obama is taking you on Mr.Toad's wild ride, and while you are all screaming in euphoria he is sitting behind his desk , smokin his cancer sticks and just waiting to win so he can play his national anthem "BOHICA" BOHICA: BEND OVER HERE IT COMES AGAIN !!!! Do they cover Vaseline with food stamps ?