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

[EAS]

I think we should levy a windfall profits tax on all political campaign donations to any candidate. ExxonMobil's name is constantly dragged through the mud for what...? Making a profit in the free market by providing the world the one of the most necessary of commodities -- fuel. Profits by the way which are driven as a result of immense labor and effort, i.e., cost.

Obama is making a profit by peddling false hope and giving speeches. His words neither feed my family nor fuel my car yet to his campaign goes the spoils. And all this while "our country suffers the worst economic crisis since the great depression". Amazing that people have the willpower to steal themselves away from the breadlines to attend his rallies and give him their last remaining nickel.

[kjhunn]

You guys grow up! Everyone knows the Republicans would be thrown over board if their guy had changed his mind, basically lied, about public finiancing, and then had suspect donors coming in with over $64000000! Grow up and at least be honest for once with yourselves! You would be screaming for heads to roll if this were a Republican.

[teresa]

More power to him. It's not federal funds. Mccain's the one that accepted federal so he duped himself.

[Luis]

I read this and gave him 25 dollars more...:-) my fellow republicans do not worry be happy not all is about hate in this election

[Ratbass]

OMG, someone dares to question the Messiah's wisdom? With a $605 million warchest, don't you think He should WAAAY ahead? Just send another $10 now, cause you won't have it to spare if he's elected.

[GuyFromOhio]

You wrote:

"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."

I don't have to imagine, I witnessed it first-hand through the Republican primary. What you have conveniently overlooked is that the Obama campaigns' average donation is less than $100. That should be a serious wake-up call to the "rich Republicans" who have driven this country into the ditch over the last 8 years.

Catfish: You betcha! =)

[Follow the Money]

If you really think all the money came from average people, then by all means, vote for Obama. But if you really want change, don't vote for either Obama or McCain; vote for Chuck Baldwin who was endorsed by Ron Paul. We need someone to restore our country to the greatness it once had.

[giggigy]

Thanks for reminding me, I'll send the money now as long as he knocks down McCain and his hippocratic beauty queen who jumped from a $250 dress to a $2500 dress just cause it is public money.

[kevin]

If the economy is such an issue why isnt he not asking for money and giving it back to the economy?

Just saying

[Voter]

We can imagine it - there wouldn't be one, except to note how great Republicans are. In all the previous elections, Republicans have raised record amounts of money, almost entirely from the richest Americans. And no hand-wringing has been observed from the LA Times or other corporate media outlets. In this election, Obama manages to tap into the 80% of voters who think this country is on the wrong track and raise record amounts of money in tiny increments, and suddenly that's a bad thing?

You can't even make an apples-to-apples comparison in your post, comparing the $600 million that OBama has raised in his entire campaign (primary and general) to the $84 million that McCain has for the general election only. Why not include the cash McCain raised during the primary, and the cash spent on him by the RNC (totalling over 400 million dollars)? Does that make it look not quite so lopsided? Or do you just not know enough about the topic to make a correct comparison?

Why is it that a comment on your blog post has more correct information than the blog post itself?

[Phil]

Suddenly the right wing doesn't like free speech in elections. You thought it was great when you were busy swift-boating Kerry!

[Bubba]

Just wait til Obama has to pay back all those big donors by crafting policies & legislation that will make the Republicans glad-handing of big business look like just a drop in the bucket. Obama is just a puppet who will beholden to those who got him elected.

[jim kelly]

after all the rhetoric of the republicans on how their policies are good for america and all the proof that their policies are indeed doom for america, i look forward to dems holding a majority in all branches so they can finally prove the difference between them is right vs wrong.

[jackfish]

did you notice that he ranted about Joe the Hedgefund manager,yet hendefund managers gave $1 mil to him and only 600k to Mccain? China (communist of course) is 75 - 25 for barack... Plane loads of Acorn guys and in the tank media types are on their way... 1.4 billion more votes

[ritt]

Do your research...only 1/4 of the donations to Obama's campaign have been from "small donations". The other 3/4....all large donors, my friends. Don't kid yourselves, he's a politician like no other. Change....Ha!

[Schratboy]

Barry Hussein Steve Mohamed Obama, the half-billion dollar + celebrity branded Socialist politician!

"We just want to spread around the wealth" to all those guys behind you.

[New York Mom]

Get used to it, folks. Under an Obama presidency, he'll keep asking you to open your wallet and fork out more.

[KJ]

Sounds like Mr. Malcolm is a bit of a hater.

[Matt]

How Mr O spends money is important because his run for the presidency is the only real experience we have to judge him by, and a big spender is the last thing we need in Washington. Until we see a politician get serious about cutting spending the US gov. will never change.

Oh and if Obama would have just picked Hillary this race would be over. Talk about poor judgment.

[getoverit]

Obama should spread the wealth. When you spread the wealth everyone does better. He should give McCain some of his money. Or does he need it to support Michelle's lobster and caviar cravings. Could you imagine sending him more money for that!

[yeahsure1001]

Power of the people is being undermined by repukelicans. If they had a better candidate, I would have donated the few valuable dollars that I have to spare. I just cannot tolerate four more years of studpidity. Enough is Enough.

[doug]

It's the first time a Democrat raised more money (maybe, so far it's still pretty close with RNC + loopholes + 527s) and the Republicans are pissed. Particularly since it's from all the "little" people, 3+ million at $86 each. I'm happy to send more now. Thanks for sharing your anger.

[DemonPreyer]

How is it that Obama keeps talking about how terrible our economy is, how the little people are broke, broke, broke....yet these same people have given him $605 million dollars?!

[Kent]

As a result of this hit piece, I have decided to make another donation to the Obama campaign. Thanks, LA Times!

[Ben]

Sooner or later, the Dems are going to get your money--call it a donation or taxes.
Vote for That One if you want to be punished for success!
Be sure to tell me what you get for your $10.
We are so screwed if O is elected.