With $605 million already, Obama asks only $10 more from each of us

Having hauled in a record $208,333 every hour of every day last month -- $150 million in all -- plus a few more unreported millions so far this month, Barack Obama is worried that he might come up short in the political money war with the John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket.

Just to relieve himself of that $150 million before the polls open, Obama will have to spend $12.5 million a day.

But he needs some more.

And, according to an e-mail plea to supporters, tonight's the absolute deadline to donate $10 more and receive your special edition Official Obama-Biden car magnet.

Having now collected more than $605 million altogether, the freshman senator shows no concern over the appearance of buying the presidency. Imagine for a moment the national political conversation that could be going on now if rich Republicans had raked in that much loot for one campaign.

Obama's team is so well-funded and well-organized it has spread its political web into one-time red states, forcing McCain to defend them with his measly $84.1 million in federal funds.

Obama aides privately profess profound concern that additional financial resources from the Republican National Committee could make the GOP ticket competitive in the closing days. And the Cincinnati Bengals are a real Super Bowl threat this year.

"The race is deadlocked in a number of crucial battleground states," the urgent e-mail proclaims, "including Ohio, Missouri and Indiana. And we're neck-and-neck in Florida, North Carolina and Nevada.

"We have to make our final, tough decisions about where to fight and how strong we can make our team. And those choices will depend on the financial resources we have."

And, hey, if there's a few hundred million dollars left over in the campaign coffers on Nov. 5, win or lose, maybe Obama would like to put it toward the immense federal budget deficits that our colleague Stephen Braun warns this morning will confront the hopes and current plans of either an Obama or McCain White House come Jan. 21.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Comments

[MikeTroopa]

I don't like this story for one single reason. It's a hit piece.

You say that if a few rich Republicans raised this much money everybody would be going nuts, and they would... but a few rich Democrats didn't raise the money for Obama; millions of Americans did with small donations. So that argument falls flat on its face.

Worse yet, you never made a single claim as to how or why Obama would need more money. He has an ever-expanding campaign that went from dozens to thousands to tens of thousands of volunteers and staffers from every corner of the country -- maybe a hypothesis on why this is would be more productive than simply pandering to snide comments and the ever so obvious "money is useful in a campaign" backdrop.

A tip, when you proofread don't just look for spelling errors, sometimes it's helpful to act like you didn't write it and read it from a clean-slate perspective.

[hugh briss]

Just a glance at Andrew Malcolm's bio explains the bitter tone of his comments re Obama.

[Vets_Unite]

I'll give another $10,000,000 to ensure victory. Quit complaining.

[Catfish]

Remember, the politicians get to keep all the left over campaign funds, so you fools just keeping sending him more money.

[anthony]

This article irritates me a little because it implies that the Obama is greedy because they have raised so much money so far and are still asking doners to help.

Today an ap poll claims that the candidates are in a dead heat. Other polls claim Obama has a 12 pt lead.

No one really will know for sure until election day.
It is close and the the Republican National Committee is putting in a lot of money to help in the last week. Mc Cain will be also asking the same of his supporters.

I am sure the author of this articles doesn't really believe that If the tables were turned Mc Cain would say let's stop raising more money, the people have given enough.

In the crucial last days it is fair for both parties to ask for whatever help their faithful can provide to win.

[MotorCityMe]

Obviously, Obama is the most fiscally responsible and organized candidate EVER!

Does anyone even need more proof that he's the best choice for President?

Obama '08!!!

[JIM]

Looking for Presidential material in Mr Obama.

Mr. Barack Obama's has opinions on many subjects, has been in very few positions in government where his ideas have been put to the test.
This gentleman, whom I regard in high esteem, and who has a Moslem father, is an intellectual, who does not have the practical experience to be Commander in chief or CEO of the United States of America.
This person has one qualification, he can talk, and discuss in a charming manner.
Let him continue his Senate role, in future years, run for top job in America.
Talking and promising, is all very well, it has it’s place certainly, but the President of the United States has to consider Congress and the Senate, the golden voice of Senator Barack Obama does not qualify him to move into the White house with disregard for practical experience, not yet attained.
I wish him well in his future endeavors. Advise him to sit out this particular endeavor.
Thoughts for the Voters….
Has he got what it takes ..it will be too late after he is elected, and you desire to change your mind.
He is a Lawyer…
How many years has he practiced law, that career is now at an end.
He appears as a honest person, he has not been in any position as such to be a proven honest
He obtained some experience in State legislature, but for how long.
He can talk that is true, a great communicator, most lawyers are, and he promises much.
But these are just promises, none of which may come to pass.
He appears friendly that also is true, politicians are always friendly till they get elected.
Where is all his political experience, that I do not see. How many years has he had in the Senate.
Where does his experience come from to be knowledgeable about our the economy and our country..
Where does his experience come from to be Commander in Chief of all the Military in USA.
Where has all his campaign money come from. However he knows some people who to say the least, have a reputation that is soiled and associated with people of ill repute..
He is a religious man, but the church he attended appears he should have rejected many years ago, because of his minister.
Been involved with the Weather man a group who attacked America, started his career in this mans living room.
Mr Obama simply puts it down to dirty politics, he was associated with those people, an investigation before he is elected.
Mr. Colin Powell has highly recommended Obama , great but what has Mr. Obama done to deserve that recommendation, his efforts in the Senate certainly do not..
His promises, he has made many, and fulfilled none, nothing there to deserve a recommendation,
His military career of which he has none.
Be honest, praise from the General does not give Mr Obama experience, he requires to be Commander in Chief of all the Military in the USA.
General Powell and Mr Obama are from the same race.
General is an honest man, race would not influence his judgment.

[mstran]

Wow, you got all that money and spent is like it was going out of style? AND STILL mccain is about even on a fraction of that. Hmmmm? and you still want more.
Lately, I am starting to think you ask for money like taxes, will you blow our tax money like water? I think I vote McCain being frugal with his money.


election after election democrates are like I will pave roads for freeeee!!!!, we elect them, then they turn on us and tax us for driving on them, and they have the nerve saying I did not lie, weput them in for free, right! And you satnd their with shmuck written on your forhead.

No thanks McCain I'll vote McCain

[GunHuggerNPA]

And the Press is complaining about how much Sarah Palin's wardrobe cost!
No Mr. Obama is not greedy!

If Barack Hussein Obama gets elected get use to him digging into your pockets.

There are a lot of hard working people in PA that don't think the same way as Hollywood.

[sue]

anyone who votes for Obama is an idiot

[Racergal]

I'm sure he'll use the excess money left over to pay down the deficit... yeah right! Didn't realize they keep the cash... hum... interesting. Makes me see who the better money manager is if McCain can be sooo very close to Obama in the polls and have so much less money in the bank. Obama's answer to everything as president will be "I need more money from you" and he'll just raise taxes... not e-mail us to ask. Just a thought that struck me today.

[Steve]

The fools will keep giving, he will bleed every last penny out of his far left followers and then if he gets elected turn around and go back on his word and have to increase taxes on every single american in order to pay for all the spending and free giveaways he has planned.

[ron cee]

It looks like Obama is getting himself tuned to winning the presidency. He's spending like a drunken sailor and asking for more money. All of his campaign rhetoric is just that, rhetoric. He's a big spending socialist with an appetite for taxes. Right now he can only ASK for your money; if he is elected he can COMMAND that you give your money!

[George]

Obama takes in $200k/hour and the press focuses on $150K the GOP spent on clothes for the Palin family. Bias? Of course!

[pcgear]

What you should be asking is where the money is coming from? Check out the article at NewsMax. An estimated 60 million is coming from overseas and being inserted into domestic contributors contributions.

[Joe Detroit]

A hit piece, come on.

No matter how McCain raised money, if he were out-spending Obama 4-to-1 there would be constant news about it.

And remember how many Hollywood stars have donated to Obama, but you don't want to recognize that.

This is one short blog article. It's such a hypocrisy how no one criticizes Obama.

[David]

Obama isn't buying the presidency, us poor folk are, $1 at a time. In the past it was the wealthy who controlled, now it's finally the "little" people who are in command. How's this for real democracy and self empowerment.

[Joe the democrat]

The people are buying back their democracy from the big money interests that have run things for years and years. Why do you hate the people so much?

[Skeptic]

What I wonder is how much of Obama's fundrasing was raised by an increase in consumer debt. It's so easy to donate with credit cards these days. I wonder how many of those credit cards get paid off at the end of each month. Not to worry, if he gets in each of those donors has a $1,000 tax credit waiting for them to help pay them off. Let's just keep cleaning up our private sectors balance sheet by dirtying our public sectors.

[LC]

I have never before donated anything other than my volunteer time to a candidate. That changed about 8 months ago when even as a single mom w/ no child support coming in I started giving $25 at the end of every month after my bills were paid. I have a huge stake in this campaign as do millions of others. I will be devastated if Obama loses but if he wins I will feel part of like never before. I see this attitude being repeated all over the place when I volunteer at voter registration drives. Who cares that he has all this money if most of it came from small donors like me a million times over. It's the first time I have had hope since 1992 that I would have some sort of representation in the WH. I was disappointed after that with how Clinton conducted himself. Now I am 17 years older and I think I'm a little better judge of "character" I'm counting on the fact that I won't be disappointed again and my multi-ethnic daughter will reap the benefits of the hopefulness of an Obama presidency.

[Herunar]

Barack Obama should be congratulated for his fundraising efforts, which has created a campaign that is truly democratic - not funded by big donors, as past campaigns have been. The article? Sounds like someone is jealous.

[dnha14]

This guy has absolutely NO scruples. And all you're writing about is Palin's wardrobe? Get a large clue, please. He's running his campaign like he would run an administration (help us, please!). Ask for more money and spend it madly. Come on, I know everyone hates Bush, but be real careful what you vote for. You just might get it.

[Bill Foster]

I dont see the problem.....for years the GOP has pummeled the democratic party with their superior fund raising skills(especially the RNC). Now the tables have turned and you cry fowl? Grow up!!!

I see a republican party that followed Bush and his partisian politics and now are reaping the rewards of his failed administration. Now you are all trying to jump ship....like roaches when the light is turned on.

Obama did this by exciting a very large base of dissatisfied americans. This whole concept became possible only because the the complete failure of the Bush\Cheney Administration.....

He may not have all the answers but I know one thing...

He is Not George Bush cloned Republican.....and that is all i need.

[Scooter]

Thanks for the tip! I will make a donation right now and get the magnet.

[Flagged_by_Truth]

HIT PIECE or TROLL.

Man it's amazing how low our journalistic standards have fallen in these times.

Hey Andrew - GO CHENEY YOURSELF!