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

[Justin]

Doesn't it suck when an election is bought? Now you know how we feel every year when the RNC raises hundreds of millions. Enjoy.

[McCain Palin 2008]

We all know why he needs more money...He has to pay people to vote for him and more than once...Wake up people...A C O R N

[john]

Sure his money came from lots of small donations...believe that one and I've got a bridge in Brooklyn you might want to buy The campaign itself admits it has no idea where the money came from and there have been too many instances of fraud for them to be able to "stop" them all.. If a Republican had this kind of money at his disposal (after going back on a promise to use public funds...and don't forget Obama is the first, the FIRST, candidate in history to use private funds)...said Republican would be crucified by the press. Buying an election would be kind words, compared to the other charges the press would be leveling. Bias...there's no bias, LOL.

[daryl]

I overheard an old lady say in the checkout line at the grocery store say," I ain't sendin' obama no mo' money! Time fo' him to sin' me some money now! Tee Hee Hee!

[Preed 1962]

I would love to see him here in Arizona! (I already give 25 dollars every payday). I'd pay for that! On the other hand if I found out he spent 150,000 dollars of OUR money on clothes and makeup-I would not be happy about it. TheGOVERNOR of one of our largest states (i swear someone said that!) does not own the proper wardrobe to campaign in? Her baby does not have clothes?

[Daveyboy]

Hmm, let's just imagine the crying going on by liberal dunces if McCain had 7 times more money than Obama? ..but of course this "fairness" is perfectly smerfectly f-a-i-r since its Obammy with all the money. Move along people, not an issue.... and do you notice repubs don't cry like libs do on just about everything??? Yes, we still got an even game even when you try to buy the presendency. oh, and all the donations are from small donors - my ar$e! There are quite a few america hating donors with BIG skin in the game.

[Tony Ponder]

A tip to Mike Troopa; you may want to heed your own advise. If you'll go back and read the piece again you'll see it doesn't read "a few rich Republicans" instead it reads "rich Republicans". It doesn't mean all Republicans are rich, it just an example of how Democrats view Republicans. I have to agree with Mr. Malcom's statement. I could only imagine the uproar we'd hear if Republicans had raised that much money. Instead, we held to our promise utilizing campaign financing instead of going back on our word.

I also have to agree with Catfish, though I don't think I'd call Obama supporter "fools", despite my desire see them that way. All the blue collar working class that Obamas courting are willing to spend their hard earned money for some free welfare. It's nothing more than socio-political gambling with the country at stake. Too bad the the majority of Democrats don't do their homework and find out the facts for themselves.

[Daddio]

Malcom's bio includes,

"He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four."

I wonder which 4 books he fathered?

[Olga]

I read this column, I thought about it and then I donated $250 dollars to the Obama -Biden Campaign website. Thank you for the motivation.

[Preed 1962]

I would love to see him here in Arizona! (I already give 25 dollars every payday). I'd pay for that! On the other hand if I found out he spent 150,000 dollars of OUR money on clothes and makeup-I would not be happy about it. TheGOVERNOR of one of our largest states (i swear someone said that!) does not own the proper wardrobe to campaign in? Her baby does not have clothes?

[The Oracle]

When this is all over and Obama has won, we can finally determine how much the Presidency costs. Then next time someone like George Soros can just buy the White House for himself.

Obama is a two faced lying bast*ard. "Oh I promise to take Fedral funding like McCain" Yeah right. How many other campaign promisi is he willing to break aftter he buys the White House? I'll tell you, ALL of them. Boy are the Obamabots gonna be crying in the cereal when he goes back on EVERY promise he's made.

I heard once again that Obama said the he'd be 3 to 5 points higher in the polls if it weren't
for FOX news and I agree.

I would also like to point out that McCain would be 20 to 25 points higher in the polls if it
weren't for MSNBC, CNN, NBC, CNBC, ABC and CBS, New York Times & ACORN.

So yes I believe Obama, because FOX is the only news outlet that Obama doesn't control.

[lori]

No one knows really where all of Obamas money comes from since unlike McCain he will nor release any of the names of donars who contributed less then 200.00. I tend to wonder what he is hiding. If McCain can do it why can't obama. Usually there is a reason why politicians hide things and it is usually to hide things they should not be doing

[Mike]

It is not so much the appearance of buying the presidency that worries me. It is the reality that somebody is buying a president that is the real problem. A number of people gave some BIG money to Obama. What do they think they are going to get in return?

[Sunsetbay4me]

With all this money and still only 10 points ahead in the polls. This one is more style than substance.

[MaryJane]

I'm giving my monthly $25...and my husband who's never given will do so as well. Anything to beat those slimy republicans!

[Edward Virtually]

I had thought I'd donated enough money by now to the fight to put Obama in the White House, but reading this kind of red "journalism" has convinced me I'm wrong and I have just donated another $25 to ensure this kind of abuse of the fourth estate has no chance of stopping the Change We Need. Oh, and regarding the recent nonsense circulating in the right-wing smear-mill about Obama's citizenship, note it is McCain who's citizenship is invalid -- see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23415028/. Sarah Palin was right about one thing. The time to take the gloves off has come and for the red team to taste the mat.

[blackdog]

All the 'amerikan idol' Hussein Obama worshipers will truly regret the day they sent money to the communist Obama when they start losing thier 'rights' and 'freedoms' just like the rest of the citizens will do. Communism does NOT distinguish between contributors and idol worshipers. When Obama is in power, everybody not in his regime of elites will become the proletariat. Send money.

that will put your messiah in power much faster, agree with policies that you are supporting and watch your life change before your eyes. Study communism and see what really happens to nations that subject themselves to its horrors. Then you will see what will happen because of your support for your amerikan idol. Ignorance can kill you. Send him more money.
Your support will will only hasten your downfall. Its too bad for you that your schooling has filled your mind with socialistic bullkrap and destroyed your appreciation for freedom that many thousands of people have died for so that you , by supporting Obama, will give away.

[123]

Thanks for the heads up, I just donated a couple of bucks for our next President - Senator Barack Obama.

[Dob Bole]

Thanks for pointing out the obvious bias in the article. The media is really no longer as far-handed as it was meant to be; especially online web articles. So many typos, no proofreading - authors are subject to far less criticism from their peers. It must be easy to phone in garbage, especially in LA, eh?

[nc]

It doesn't matter where or from how many people the money is coming, Obama is still buying the presidency.

And you know it as well as I do: there are plenty of RICH people contributing max amounts to Obama's campaign, not just (supposedly) millions of poor people. Plus all the RICH media owners and entertainers are contributing not just money, but talent as well.

Too bad Obama is going to lose. That'll show you that America is greater than all the late night shows put together...plus all the other robots in Hollywood...plus all the talking-head idiots in the media...plus all those Wall Street buffoons (who by the way are pretty much all Democrats)...plus all those bratty I-inherited-all-my-wealth-but-think-I'm-so-smart Kennedys of the world...plus all those poor people who are willing to sell their votes for a few government handouts or even just a couple cigarettes.

[Bob B]

Oh, yea...Obama bought This election....he'll keep the money and force us to pay for his plan. Obama will make the Crater yaers look like happy times.

Just say NObama.....

[AzVet]

Such arrogance on the Obama campaign. Measuring the draps in the oval office and spending millions on an election night party. I for one will be laughing my a@@ off when McCain wins. Obama can have all the money he wants, hook or crook, but the American people aren't going to be hoodwinked into electing a Marxist socialist into the U. S. presidency. The U. S. presidency cannot be bought!

[Margaret Leber]

If you think Obama is done spending your money for you once the election is over...just imagine what it will be like if he gets into office.

[Rich Lewis]

Andrew Malcolm's bio says his parents "repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy." But when millions of people are motivated to participate by kicking in a few bucks to help a candidate whom they admire, he mocks them. Mom and dad would be disappointed, Andy.

[Niki]

This article is a perfect example of why Obama SHOULD NOT BE PRESIDENT!

He can't even keep his own budget in order and when you think of it, he is spending nearly 4 times what Mccain is, he should be at least 3 times higher in the polls!

All Obama and Liberals know how to do is spend money. I don't want them mismanaging MY MONEY!