Obama raises $25 million

[MacNut]

Will the nominee come from who raises the most money or who has the best campaign.

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/04/obama.fundraising/index.html)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign announced Wednesday that it raised at least $25 million in the first quarter of 2007.

The total comes close to the $26 million raised by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign in the same time period and calls into question the New York Democrat's status as her party's front-runner in 2008.

The Obama for America campaign said more than 100,000 individual donors had contributed to the 2008 presidential campaign of the senator from Illinois.

"This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country and a belief at the grass-roots level that Barack Obama can bring out the best in America to solve our problems," said Penny Pritzker, Obama for America's finance chair, in a news release.

Since Obama announced his presidential bid on February 10, his campaign has raised $6.9 million over the Internet from more than 50,000 donors, it said. The online fundraising is included in the $25 million total.

Dan Balz, political correspondent for The Washington Post, said: "I think the challenge for him is to figure out how to bottle up this enthusiasm and turn it into something that can sustain him for a much longer period."

The first quarter of the 2008 fundraising cycle is considered by many to be a reliable benchmark to assess a candidate's viability. The quarter closed at midnight Saturday.

Clinton also transferred an additional $10 million from her Senate war chest to post $36 million in the first quarter.

But Obama's fundraising prowess was the second blow in as many days to Clinton's aim to become the Democrats' "inevitable candidate."

A poll released Tuesday indicated Clinton's once double-digit lead in the key primary state of New Hampshire has eroded since February, while rival John Edwards has made a run toward the head of the pack.

[leekohler]

Hee-hee. Ol' Hillary must be feeling the heat! I love it! Obama '08!

[IJ Reilly]

Wow. I hate to be hanging on fundraising numbers, but I was kind of worried that Obama's campaign might be fading. Those big numbers will give him a shot at California.

[emmawu]

I wish all the candidates would take public funds. I don't think political offices should be for sale. I for one, can certainly not afford to contribute a lot of money.

"Money doesn't talk, it swears" Bob Dylan

[obeygiant]

Good for him, he's becoming the perfect hillary spoiler. Hillary's response (http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4531/508066500nl4.jpg)

[princealfie]

Everyone in America makes $25 million. Even Warren Buffett. Big deal.

[MacNut]

I wish all the candidates would take public funds. I don't think political offices should be for sale. I for one, can certainly not afford to contribute a lot of money.

"Money doesn't talk, it swears" Bob DylanSo you want taxes to pay for the candidates? The problem is that elections are won by who raises the most money not by who has the better issues.

[princealfie]

So you want taxes to pay for the candidates? The problem is that elections are won by who raises the most money not by who has the better issues.

That's why the USA isn't a democracy; it's a plutocracy.

[Airforce]

Obama '08!

A black president? :eek:

:p

I love me some blazing saddles....:D

[princealfie]

A black president? :eek:

:p

I love me some blazing saddles....:D

Come on, did you watch 24 the TV show then?

We had 2 black presidents :D

[Mike Teezie]

Fantastic!

I was watching Tucker Carlson's show on MSNBC a few days ago while I was waiting at the vet's office. Sen. Clinton's numbers had just come in. They were all guffawing at her numbers - and projecting Obama at around 10 million I believe, which got me worried.

Barrack in '08!!

:)

[Swarmlord]

Good for him, he's becoming the perfect hillary spoiler. Hillary's response (http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4531/508066500nl4.jpg)

Yup. I'm pulling for him too! I can hardly wait to watch the top three or four Dems blow through $400 Million trying to convince the poor who's the best candidate to help them out.

[MACDRIVE]

I just don't get it. The media has been saying lately that history has proven that the candidates who've raised the most amount of money usually becomes president. I'm the one that's doing the voting and I never see any of that money. :confused:

[it5five]

Yup. I'm pulling for him too! I can hardly wait to watch the top three or four Dems blow through $400 Million trying to convince the poor who's the best candidate to help them out.

Better than Republicans blowing through just as much money trying to convince big business which one of them is going to give the biggest tax cuts that only benefit the ultra rich.

[solvs]

He's ok. I'd certainly take him over most of the rest of them, but there are still some things that bug me about him, though not enough for me to want to vote against him. Mostly though, I wonder if he's got a shot. The Independents and moderate conservatives might give it to Rudy, who can ride 9/11 straight through to the Presidency, which trust me, that's not something we want. Maybe the country is so sick of neocons we can actually get over our racism and misogyny to give the guy a shot. Hoping he doesn't blow it, but he certainly talks a good game, will probably surround himself with some good people, and has a lot to prove. Course the guy before him set the bar pretty low, but I'm sure the attack dogs will still be out in full force.

As for Hillary, I personally can't stand her, and don't trust her, but she wouldn't be that horrible a Pres, which is a sentiment shared by most of the rest of us apparently.

[it5five]

He's ok. I'd certainly take him over most of the rest of them, but there are still some things that bug me about him, though not enough for me to want to vote against him. Mostly though, I wonder if he's got a shot. The Independents and moderate conservatives might give it to Rudy, who can ride 9/11 straight through to the Presidency, which trust me, that's not something we want. Maybe the country is so sick of neocons we can actually get over our racism and misogyny to give the guy a shot. Hoping he doesn't blow it, but he certainly talks a good game, will probably surround himself with some good people, and has a lot to prove. Course the guy before him set the bar pretty low, but I'm sure the attack dogs will still be out in full force.

As for Hillary, I personally can't stand her, and don't trust her, but she wouldn't be that horrible a Pres, which is a sentiment shared by most of the rest of us apparently.

I'd rather have Hillary than any Republican, but I'd prefer Obama.

I'll pretty much be happy as long as any Democrat wins.

[MACDRIVE]

He's ok. I'd certainly take him over most of the rest of them, but there are still some things that bug me about him, though not enough for me to want to vote against him.

What bugs you about him? Don't leave us hanging like that. :mad:

[Agathon]

Can any Americans please explain why anyone is voting for Hillary? It seems to me that she is simply unelectable given her past. Do people not like Obama because he is black?

It would be a tragedy for the Dems to make the same mistake they did last time. In no way should Kerry have been the candidate. Dean should have been it, since he would have actually stood up to Bush and called him out (which Kerry failed to do).

[obeygiant]

Can any Americans please explain why anyone is voting for Hillary?

Probably for the same reason people can't get their eyes off a car accident or why a deer gets caught in headlights.


Dean should have been it, since he would have actually stood up to Bush and called him out (which Kerry failed to do).

Dean... You're talking about Howard Dean?

[Lyle]

Can any Americans please explain why anyone is voting for Hillary? It seems to me that she is simply unelectable given her past.Well, regardless of what you think about her politics, she's definitely well qualified for the job. I think the association with her husband (who was, and continues to be, very popular with Democrats) is a big part of her popularity. There's also the factor that she's probably the strongest female to run for the presidency, the first ever with a real legitimate shot at winning.

Do people not like Obama because he is black?Well, based on the article that kicked off this thread, it would appear that a lot of people do like Obama. His popularity has really skyrocketed over the last few years. There are no doubt some people who dislike him because he's black, but there are also some valid concerns about his candidacy due to his lack of experience.

[princealfie]

Too bad we don't have Ralph Nader anymore :(

[Lyle]

Too bad we don't have Ralph Nader anymore :(What do you mean? Has he specifically said that he's not going to run this time?

[IJ Reilly]

Well, based on the article that kicked off this thread, it would appear that a lot of people do like Obama. His popularity has really skyrocketed over the last few years. There are no doubt some people who dislike him because he's black, but there are also some valid concerns about his candidacy due to his lack of experience.

I hold out some hope that the race card isn't going to be played in this election, even though I know it's almost inevitable. Why Obama is even considered "black" is a mystery to me. He's no more black than he is white. In fact, his mixed race says a lot about America in the 21st century, and his popularity should be taken as a signal that many Americans view the racial politics of the 20th century as obsolete. I wonder if we've grown up enough as a nation to see it. Time will tell.

As for experience, his life experience is his main selling point.

[IJ Reilly]

What do you mean? Has he specifically said that he's not going to run this time?

Don't bother to ask -- he's just trolling.

[leekohler]

Don't bother to ask -- he's just trolling.

Exactly, Ralph Nader can kiss my a**.

[Lyle]

I hold out some hope that the race card isn't going to be played in this election...

So far, he has mostly avoided playing the race card himself, and I really, really dig that. Regardless of how he ends up doing, though, I hope it would be true that:

No one would vote for him just because he's black; and,
No one would vote against him just because he's black.

But I think I'll be let down on both points. ;)

Don't bother to ask -- he's just trolling [regarding comments about Nader].

Gotcha. For a minute there I thought maybe Ralph had died or something, and no one bothered to tell me.

[Swarmlord]

Better than Republicans blowing through just as much money trying to convince big business which one of them is going to give the biggest tax cuts that only benefit the ultra rich.

Too bad the Dems include people making as little as $34K in the ultra rich category. Get back to me when you see your federal taxes go up 35-153% when the Dems roll back the tax cuts. Hopefully you don't work for a big business too. They don't really pay the taxes - employees and customers do.

[leekohler]

Too bad the Dems include people making as little as $34K in the ultra rich category. Get back to me when you see your federal taxes go up 35-153% when the Dems roll back the tax cuts. Hopefully you don't work for a big business too. They don't really pay the taxes - employees and customers do.

Oh please! Can it with the ridiculous histrionics! :rolleyes: I make a more than that (but not a ton more) and ohhhh ahhhh....Georgie gave me a whole $200 rebate when he took over! Wow! Boy was I ecstatic!

Newsflash- your war has to be paid for somehow.

[princealfie]

Too bad the Dems include people making as little as $34K in the ultra rich category. Get back to me when you see your federal taxes go up 35-153% when the Dems roll back the tax cuts. Hopefully you don't work for a big business too. They don't really pay the taxes - employees and customers do.

Ironically I had to pay taxes under the Repub. admin but always got a refund under the Demo. admin. What's up with that? :eek:

[Swarmlord]

Ironically I had to pay taxes under the Repub. admin but always got a refund under the Demo. admin. What's up with that? :eek:

Compare the actual tax paid. Anyone can manipulate whether they get a refund or not by what they withhold. That's what's wrong with our current tax system: they have people grateful they are getting some of their own money back.

[princealfie]

Compare the actual tax paid. Anyone can manipulate whether they get a refund or not by what they withhold. That's what's wrong with our current tax system: they have people grateful they are getting some of their own money back.

But I didn't change anything with the number of withholding.

Under equal conditions, I'm supposed to get more tax refund under the Repub admin right?

But I don't so something is definitely wrong :(

[Mike Teezie]

He's ok. I'd certainly take him over most of the rest of them, but there are still some things that bug me about him, though not enough for me to want to vote against him.

Not calling you out or anything solvs, I'm just curious to what bugs you about him. I'm admittedly a fan of Obama, and I'm curious to get some different opinions. I won't be trying to debate you on your points, it's pure curiosity.

Mostly though, I wonder if he's got a shot. The Independents and moderate conservatives might give it to Rudy, who can ride 9/11 straight through to the Presidency, which trust me, that's not something we want.

I agree about the moderates, but the neo-cons, no way. The guy's past isn't that conducive to the fundament...err....hyper conservative ideology.

Maybe the country is so sick of neocons we can actually get over our racism and misogyny to give the guy a shot. Hoping he doesn't blow it, but he certainly talks a good game, will probably surround himself with some good people, and has a lot to prove. Course the guy before him set the bar pretty low, but I'm sure the attack dogs will still be out in full force.

As for Hillary, I personally can't stand her, and don't trust her, but she wouldn't be that horrible a Pres, which is a sentiment shared by most of the rest of us apparently.

She would probably be ok, but I feel like Barrack could be great.

[kitki83]

Well to me I was a fan of the Clintons since I was a teen. I do think Hillary has the backbone to deal with sexism if she goes into office. Since I know the Republicans are going to take any low blow they have against her. Thats my view. What I am concerned about Obama is the race issue. I am worried the Black Political influence will manipulate things, don't want to sound ignorant, but I feel hes gonna be under pressure of "Do this for the Black community if you don't you are not black." I am not saying this is exactly whats going to happen but from local politics I experience that political figure got torched because of similar background to Obama and the black community of the city expected special percs because of race and he decline. I hope the race/sex is not going to be main discussion of the presidential race but more on issues.


I would like to see both of them run together, P and VP. Because Obama has good people skills while Hillary has a good foundation and alot of resources in politics. To me they compliment with each other.

This is my two cents.

[it5five]

Too bad the Dems include people making as little as $34K in the ultra rich category. Get back to me when you see your federal taxes go up 35-153% when the Dems roll back the tax cuts. Hopefully you don't work for a big business too. They don't really pay the taxes - employees and customers do.

I don't care if my taxes go up. I want the welfare programs in place to actually work. And for those to work, they need funds. Not more tax cuts to bleed them dry.

And I work for the government, actually. The only things customers pay for are stamps and shipping.

[princealfie]

Well to me I was a fan of the Clintons since I was a teen. I do think Hillary has the backbone to deal with sexism if she goes into office. Since I know the Republicans are going to take any low blow they have against her. Thats my view. What I am concerned about Obama is the race issue. I am worried the Black Political influence will manipulate things, don't want to sound ignorant, but I feel hes gonna be under pressure of "Do this for the Black community if you don't you are not black." I am not saying this is exactly whats going to happen but from local politics I experience that political figure got torched because of similar background to Obama and the black community of the city expected special percs because of race and he decline. I hope the race/sex is not going to be main discussion of the presidential race but more on issues.


I would like to see both of them run together, P and VP. Because Obama has good people skills while Hillary has a good foundation and alot of resources in politics. To me they compliment with each other.

This is my two cents.

I don't trust Hillary after the Whitewater incident. Big money = more corruption.

[Swarmlord]

But I didn't change anything with the number of withholding.

Under equal conditions, I'm supposed to get more tax refund under the Repub admin right?

But I don't so something is definitely wrong :(

No, your "refund" has nothing to do with it. You have to compare the taxes you paid before the tax cut (adjusted for your income) to what you paid now. If you get a big refund it means you screwed up and overwithheld.

[Thomas Veil]

On the other hand, if this is an example of how Obama handles a confrontation, I'm disappointed in him:

Some Democratic leaders forecast Bush winning the Iraq veto fight. “I don’t think that we will see a majority of the Senate vote to cut off funding at this stage,” said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Sunday. “Nobody wants to play chicken with our troops on the ground,” he said.

Did Obama 'surrender' to Bush?

Obama’s assessment drew scorn from Markos Moulitsas Zuniga of the Daily Kos web site. “Instead of threatening Bush with even more restrictions and daring him to veto funding for the troops out of pique, Barack just surrendered to him,” Moulitsas wrote.

Bush’s veto threat may pay some dividends in that he’s splitting the Democratic ranks. While Obama sounds resigned to Bush winning on the veto, his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday, “This is vetoing the will of the American people.” She added that “I’m not ready to concede” that Bush will ultimately make his veto stick.MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17949396/from/RS.1/)

Looks like Hillary has more guts in this showdown than Barack.

[Swarmlord]

I don't care if my taxes go up. I want the welfare programs in place to actually work. And for those to work, they need funds. Not more tax cuts to bleed them dry.

And I work for the government, actually. The only things customers pay for are stamps and shipping.

And I think there should be a way for people that want their taxes to go up to pay more - but not at the expense of those that don't. Usually the biggest supporters of increased taxes are those that don't pay in and want to gouge those that do.

What welfare program was cut much less bled dry? News to me.

[princealfie]

And I think there should be a way for people that want their taxes to go up to pay more - but not at the expense of those that don't. Usually the biggest supporters of increased taxes are those that don't pay in and want to gouge those that do.

What welfare program was cut much less bled dry? News to me.

No kidding, taxes need to mean something here. I haven't seen anything good except the fact that we got IKEA coming here soon! :)

[Swarmlord]

No kidding, taxes need to mean something here. I haven't seen anything good except the fact that we got IKEA coming here soon! :)

IKEA has great stuff. They go on my list of good companies for both employees and customers.

Ford just made my other list after I saw the compensation he got for four months of "work". I bet a lot of employees working at Ford lost incentives that they had at previous employers and didn't get compensated for it. As the saying goes, I'm sure that even I could have lost Ford 29 billion for a fraction of what they paid the current CEO to do it. As a shareholder, I'm steamed. :mad:

[leekohler]

IKEA has great stuff. They go on my list of good companies for both employees and customers.

Ford just made my other list after I saw the compensation he got for four months of "work". I bet a lot of employees working at Ford lost incentives that they had at previous employers and didn't get compensated for it. As the saying goes, I'm sure that even I could have lost Ford 29 billion for a fraction of what they paid the current CEO to do it. As a shareholder, I'm steamed. :mad:

I think that should be my next career move- CEO. It's like being a weather man. No matter how many times you screw up, you still get a ton of money. :)

[princealfie]

I think that should be my next career move- CEO. It's like being a weather man. No matter how many times you screw up, you still get a ton of money. :)

Uh, don't get stressed out. you have to work at least 100 hours/week.

[leekohler]

Uh, don't get stressed out. you have to work at least 100 hours/week.

I do that now- why not get paid for it?

[MACDRIVE]

Okay solvs, it's been almost 24 hours and you still haven't told us what bugs you about Obama. I'm guessing it's his skinny neck right? Or how about that mole on his face? That's what it is huh? It's that icky mole on his face. . . :p

[it5five]

What welfare program was cut much less bled dry? News to me.

An example that has been all over the news recently: veteran benefits and money put toward veteran hospitals. Shouldn't be news to you, unless you've been living under a rock for the past month.

[solvs]

What bugs you about him? Don't leave us hanging like that. :mad:

Not calling you out or anything solvs, I'm just curious to what bugs you about him. I'm admittedly a fan of Obama, and I'm curious to get some different opinions. I won't be trying to debate you on your points, it's pure curiosity.
He's a lot more hawkish that people realize. He said healthcare is at the top of his list of things he'd like to do, but hasn't really given enough details on it, like how he plans on realistically paying for it, and stumbled during his speech about it because he was unprepared. He's wishy-washy on things like welfare, drugs, gay rights, etc. Plus he smokes (though he says he's quitting). :p

There is a lot to like about him, but once you get past the ideas and great speeches, he can leave something to be desired.

Do people not like Obama because he is black?
Some people like him because they don't really know anything about him. Some people don't like him for the same reason. There's prejudice for and against, but mostly he just doesn't seem like the rest of them. Which can be a good thing, but can also be a bad thing. See Lincoln, but also see Bush. ;)

Dean... You're talking about Howard Dean?
Who's more conservative than people give him credit for. His first priority in office when he was Gov was to balance the budget. But like Biden, has foot in mouth disorder. He has said and done a lot of stupid things. But he would have made a better Pres. than the current guy.

Of course, a dead cat probably could have made a better Pres. :rolleyes:

Ford just made my other list after I saw the compensation he got for four months of "work". I bet a lot of employees working at Ford lost incentives that they had at previous employers and didn't get compensated for it. As the saying goes, I'm sure that even I could have lost Ford 29 billion for a fraction of what they paid the current CEO to do it. As a shareholder, I'm steamed. :mad:
But this is the free market at work. Isn't this what you support? I'm confused, regulation good, or bad?

Okay solvs, it's been almost 24 hours and you still haven't told us what bugs you about Obama. I'm guessing it's his skinny neck right? Or how about that mole on his face? That's what it is huh? It's that icky mole on his face. . . :p
I do have a life, and a job. :eek: Patience, I'm up late enough as it is. Seriously, I totally have to up early tomorrow morning, and shouldn't be sitting here all night on the computer watching cartoons.

Plus, I might be going out this weekend, so who knows when next I'll be back. :o

[solvs]

An example that has been all over the news recently: veteran benefits and money put toward veteran hospitals. Shouldn't be news to you, unless you've been living under a rock for the past month.

Waiting for someone to say they don't need support and should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps like those lazy kids born to poor parents and those bastards who dare to get sick without having good medical coverage.

What? We've had those arguments before. Isn't this the natural progression? :rolleyes:

(for the record, no, these aren't my personal beliefs)

[it5five]

Waiting for someone to say they don't need support and should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps like those lazy kids born to poor parents and those bastards who dare to get sick without having good medical coverage.

What? We've had those arguments before. Isn't this the natural progression? :rolleyes:

(for the record, no, these aren't my personal beliefs)

I know those aren't your beliefs, don't worry. ;)

Yeah, I forgot that everyone on welfare is dumb and lazy. Especially women.

[solvs]

Especially women.

No, women are sluts. Babies, the sick, and the elderly are lazy. So are the mentally handicapped. I don't know where injured soldiers fit in that, but supprt the troops makes a better bumper sticker than a policy apparently.

Again, not my philosophy. I like sluts. And lazy babies.

[halfprep455]

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time to get rid of the Bush in the White House! Get rid of the Neo-Cons!!!!!

[it5five]

No, women are sluts. Babies, the sick, and the elderly are lazy. So are the mentally handicapped. I don't know where injured soldiers fit in that, but supprt the troops makes a better bumper sticker than a policy apparently.

Again, not my philosophy. I like sluts. And lazy babies.

Haha. I couldn't get it all straight. So much hate, didn't know quite where it all belonged. :D