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

[ryan]

Hey Catfish, like most Republicans, you seem to be confused.

According to federal election campaign laws 441a-1.a:

(4) Disposal of excess contributions.
(A) In general. The aggregate amount of contributions
accepted by a candidate or a candidate's authorized committee
under the increased limit under paragraph (1) and not otherwise
expended in connection with the election with respect to which
such contributions relate shall, not later than 50 days after the
date of such election, be used in the manner described in sub-
paragraph (B).
(B) Return to contributors. A candidate or a candidate's
authorized committee shall return the excess contribution to the
person who made the contribution.

[Innocent Bystander]

I'll fork over money if it means keeping Sarah Palin out of the White House in 2012. God help us!

[Tim]

You morons. You give a litttle pocket change and you really think he will return the favor? He will spend so much freakin money and we will be in Iraq just as long as McCain would have us there. You MORONS!!!!!

[Al from TX]

Other commenters have expressed the points I'm about to make, but to drive home the point: Obama's donors are amazingly diverse and the average donation is less than $200.00 (or some similar figure).

The author of this article should write a piece exposing how Jesus turned water into wine--it was a balatant attempt to get people drunk. Or how about how using 5 fishes and 3 loaves of bread to feed 5,000 hurt the struggling small business owners in Galilee?

Obama is not "the one", he's "that one." And since "that one" is actually trying to connect with all of America and not just the "real America", I don't see why those of us who aren't real Americans shouldn't spend $10 more (or $1,000 more) dollars to make sure that the next President of the United States thinks we matter.

[markm]

In reply to the letter by Mr. Troopa calling this a "hit piece", I disagree. The "hope and change" candidate is nothing more than a well-funded Chicago pol who has played fast and loose with campaign finance in a way the GOP would never be permitted to get away with. At this writing CNN is even reporting over 3000 illegal donations to obama from donors with fake names such as "x2abe4" living on "some street" in "anywhere usa". Infact, major corporate and foreign donors like George Soros and the Chinese Government are "bundling" illegal contributions using hundreds of fake names to cover illegal campaign contributions by making small payments that will slip under the radar. People will learn about Obama, but sadly it may be too late.

[john]

THis comment is directed straight at Obama. I cannot believe how "GREEDY" you are. My wife and I are both college educated. Both have jobs, and we are trying to build a future together. It just sickens me to see that you are actually asking for een more money. I am an undecided voter. I am actually leaning towards voting for you, but everyday I see articles that you continue to ask for more money when we as a family have school debt and mortgage payments and so on. WHy don't you as well as McCain do something useful with this money and actually help Americans in a proactive way rather than just TALK. GIVE 20, 30 or 40 thousand to 20 thousand families to get peoples lives on track. My wife and I cannot even start a family because of this. It is ridiulous that you talk about adding to you wealth when most of us are breaking even. If you want to make a "REAL CHANGE" CHANGE PEOPLES LIVES monetarily not through rhetoric. Mcain is guily to just in a more minor sense. I know there will be some supporters and HAters from what I am saying, but it is the truth. Thank you reading my article.

[Getting Greedy Here]

How much is enough Obama?!!! Geez! We are in an Economic Crisis and Obama is still asking Americans to reach in their pocket. Obama is spending millions and millions to secure a four year job, when some folks are being laid off in Michigan and across the USA.

[Patmac]

I will happily contribute more to Obama/Biden. McCain/Palin are running an utterly disgraceful campaign, sinking deeper and deeper into the mire. The brand new RNC mailer, against Obama/BIden, has on its cover: "Terrorists Don't Care Who They Hurt" -- and then, open it up: it's a picture of Obama.

This is reprehensible fear mongering on the part of the Republicans, nothing short of desperate evil directed toward the most extraordinarily stupid among us.

For McCain/Palin it's Power and Ego First, Honor and Country last.

I'm more than happy to donate more and more of my hard earned money to Obama/Biden, who have run a campaign of dignity, talking about issues, instead of inventing nonsense and directing scary words at their opponents. The Obama/Biden ticket is this country's *only* hope.

[David]

In all seriousness, it does appear that Obama is trying to buy the Presidency.

[egc52556]

Don't forget, Obama can use the excess money for his 2012 re-election campaign. When he will defeat Sarah Palin. Again.

[Mother Hoose]

Right Vets-Unite!

Went and donated that $10 before I read the article...
Wish I had more to give!

We're poor...but the family can still give-up a pizza for a slice of the big pie!

[Jon Dough]

Everyone should agree that a massive campaign fund and unlimited funds do shape an election. Elections should not be bought,. We should elect a politician on qualifications, stance on issues, vision,background, beliefs, etc....
Wake up America!!!

[envious of Mike Troopa]

Can I donate $10 to you?

[greed]

This is sick, especially when others are struggling so much.

That's why Obama and the heinously collusive media put out that silly story about Palin's wardrobe. It was to distract from the real crime - Obama's sick inappropriate greed.

If he can't win with the money he's already had roll in, he is a nitwit.

It bodes poorly for his executive mgmt. skills that with all his inflated spending, Obama isn't farther along in the race.

He is sick for asking people for more money when they need to eat, buy gas, etc.

And, to the person above, Obama does have several wealthy donor sugardaddies - stop the delusion that Obama is a saint.

This has turned us from Dem to Independent, we're so sickened.

[Jon Dough]

Everyone should agree that a massive campaign fund and unlimited funds do shape an election. Elections should not be bought,. We should elect a politician on qualifications, stance on issues, vision,background, beliefs, etc....
Wake up America!!!

[L.Step]

Was there ever a politician who said they had enough money? Wait until either party parasite hits the White House! You ain't seen nothin' yet.

[Jebus]

I think its a brilliant story. He has to spend 12.5m a day to spend just what he got last month? People who support this behavior obviously dont care about anything but winning and getting their way. Its morally reprehensible Mr. Obama. You have starving people in the work and this egomaniac is going to throw away tens of millions a day and thats not enough for him - egomanical.

[suzifla]

Personally, every time I pass a McCain yard sign, I'm instinctively reminded to send Obama another $25!

[CHUCK]

Campaign funds cannot be used except for campaigns. After the election he can keep the $ for the 2012 election, give part or all to the DNC, or use it to get reelected to the senate. It is not his money, but the campaigns. BTW, i think to elect any black man would take a tremendous amount of resources to overcome the deck that is stacked against him. just think what it took for the black man to get the right to vote, that same opposition still exists.

[Herve B]

Just remind yourself of the I need more money theme when he is elected and enjoy

[Mark]

Wow, and they're trying to say Sarah Palin is spending a lot of money.. are you kidding me?

$605 Million, that's like 2 or 3 years worth of cancer research at a University!!

This money is CORRUPTING the Obama campaign. Hmm, sound familiar? Rezko/Ayers/Wright/Kilpatrick/ACORN - Business as usual for Mr. Obama.

John McCain's campaign is very frugally using the mere $84 million that Public Funding allows him. Mr. Obama said he would use Public Funding himself at one point, but he LIED and changed his mind... "Show me the money!"

Now who are they saying is the better economist? Um let's see, John McCain is EVEN in the latest AP poll, and yet he's only using 1/6th of the money that Mr. Obama is using to do it?

The choice is clear, John conserve-money McCain should be our next President.

[Amy]

And when you say "millions fo American's making small donations", are you including Mickey, Donald, Daffy, and all of those generous Palestenians who purchased wares from Obama's online store?

Thanks for that truth Catfish... I was going to post it myself!

[Randy Sutin]

It's not really "buying the presidency" when the money comes willingly from millions voters such as myself who give him our money with expectations that he will spend it in exactly this way. It is more a representation of how strongly the millions of us support Obama's candidacy.

Certainly, on an ethical scale, this ranks far better than taking tax money and spending it on a $150,000 makeover for a candidate who presumably, since she was already a governor, should have had plenty of professionally appropriate clothes to wear.

[RM]

Obama originally promised to only take federal funds. That's just one of many flip-flops (lies) from Obama.

[BCinkc]

Actually the remaining money goes back to the DNC general election fund. . . the candidate doesn't keep a dime.