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

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Photo credit: CafePress.com

Comments

[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 ?