Obama: Gimme Money
I’m not sure if it’s the audacity of hope, but it certainly takes some kind of audacity to follow up a seven-network 30 minute prime time ad buy with a fundraising email pleading poverty:
Our spending plans have been stretched by John McCain’s negative attacks and the overwhelming resources of the Republican National Committee.
As of October 15th, John McCain and the RNC together had nearly $20 million more in cash than the combined total of Obama for America and the DNC. And just this week, we’re facing new and unexpected spending against us in Montana and West Virginia.
There’s some impressive illogic in that last sentence. McCain being forced to play defense in Montana and West Virgina is spun as an unexpected problem for the poor, cash-strapped Obama campaign. It’s clever.
57 Responses to “Obama: Gimme Money”
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October 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
You don’t raise $150 million in a month with the audacity.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
They essentially have the Harvard fundraising problem. How do you appeal for donations when you’re blowing the other side out of the water and are flush with cash?
October 30th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Just be quiet Matt and type in your credit card number.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Dig deep Matt, give while it’s still voluntary.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Of course Obama just proved that he can spend campaign funds on quality material.
By my count, that one ad buy has dominated the news cycle for two days. Tomorrow is Halloween.
The first rule of sales is to always ask for your customer to buy your product. By asking for a donation, however small, is doing that. If you donate now, you are more likely to show up at the pick-up window and get your product (or go to the pole and vote). However crazy it may look, he is asking his supporters to participate.
It is also possible that their funds are declining because everyone has the same impression, that the campaign has plenty of money.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
How much more money can they really spend? There are essentially four days left. The ads are bought, the staffers paid.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
No joke. The first time I gave $25 dollars and the campaign kept asking me for another $25. Then I gave $100 and so they kept asking if I could just spare another $100. Then I gave $250 and they’re like, please, Montana, West Virginia, can you spare another $250? No!
Maybe if they asked for $25 I’d give it. Chicago, I can’t spare any more money because you have all of it!
I also no longer answer my phone when an unknown number calls because its always some damn kid asking me to canvass again. I’m now “out of town” on business til Wednesday.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Last night was the first night their splash page had most of my data already filled out to make another donation. Any other candidate and I would have been creeped out. But Obama? Aww, they just need a few more bux.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
It’s also partly about buying in and keeping you committed.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I have backed Obama for nearly two years now, but I do resent this obvious spinning. I know it is … illogical … for me to … hope … that politicians won’t use “facts” to their advantage. All I can say is that I don’t like it, and it doesn’t inspire me to spend more.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I like Tomj’s spin that the infomercial is good evidence that the campaign is able to make good use of unprecedented funds. That combines with the “fight for WV and MT” pitch for a general, “donate to help us create a blow-out.” There is at least some real value to running up the score, that that’s really what additional resources are likely to go towards.
I would be nice if they were a bit more straight forward about it, and just said some business about “help us make this a truly historic election,” but I guess that’s just not how you role in campaign world.
October 30th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
another way to describe what i just wrote is this (and i recognize it is a very weak comparison):
a. gwb spins the facts to invade iraq. something to his advantage.
b. obama campaign spins the facts to load up the war chest.
a doesn’t equal b. obviously. i resent and mistrust gwb because of a. i’d rather not resent and mistrust obama because of b, but that is mildly difficult due to this e-mail.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I fell for it. Just gave 50.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
In the last 24 hours, I’ve gotten 2 e-mails from Obama, 1 from Biden, 1 from Jim Webb telling me why he’s voting Obama, and that one begging for more $$. And 2 of Obama’s robot volunteers have called asking me what I’m doing this weekend.
I love the guy, but I’m starting to feel stalked.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I was just thinking the same thing… was reading their upteenth e-mail begging for money and it annoyed me, then I go and read your post.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
No, it’s dishonest.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
One answer to “how much money can they spend” is that some of it may be for legal challenges after the vote, if necessary. On the other hand, that might be yet another pile of money.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Beyond just asking for money, they are asking for us to go “all out” and meet the maximum. As BHO is quick to mention, we’re in tough economic times and the small doners just don’t have it.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
The just asked again! Now they sicced Michelle after me now… what gives? Three e-mails in one day is enough already.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
They keep asking me to give over $2,000 in order to max out my contributions. 3 or 4 emails this month, at least.
I’m voting for they guy, and I’m a supporter, but I suspect they’re trying to raise cash to refund bad/illegal contributions.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
C’mon guys; Elizabeth Dole needs more money for ad buys….
October 30th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
i know we’ve all given a lot of money and/or time over the past two years, but come on people, the election is in 5 days! Frankly nothing over the past two years matters an iota if Obama loses on November 4th. He needs to do everything possibe to make sure as many people as possible go to the voting booth and cast their ballot for him. i don’t begrudge him begging for more money, time and pestering people like mad to GOTV. You’ll feel awful silly if we have another 2000 on our hands in a few days.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
C’mon guys; Elizabeth Dole needs more money for ad buys….
At this point, I suspect that giving Dole more money for ad buys is the best thing we can do to help elect Kay Hagan.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Yeah, every time I give money they hit me up the very next day for the same amount. I gave $100 on Monday, and on Tuesday got another $100 request from “Barack Obama”, on Wednesday $100 requests from “Michelle Obama” and “Joe Biden”, and today the $100 request from “Marianne Markowitz” that Matt seems to have received.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Marianne Markowitz (the Obama CFO) only asked me for $25. I must be a tightwad and/or poor.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
But I thought the whole point of the campaign was that he had to spend ALL $150 million BEFORE election day!
Oh, wait, I’m thinking of Brewster’s Millions.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I was asked for $100. I guess they are pitching the value you have already used as your previous high point. Cool technology. I am just not willing to donate again at this time. Though I don’t begrudge him asking.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
What the hell are they going to spend money on now? We’re five days until the election. All the ad time is bought, the staff is paid, the bills are paid and they’ve printed all the campaign materials. Just bizarre.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
This is funny, but I’ve been feeling the same way. After I read the September haul, there’s like NO WAY I’m giving more (I’ve already given a ridiculous amount.) But they’re getting even MORE aggressive — just got a call during pumpkin carving — and she’s like claiming they need more $$ for the last 5 days. WTH?
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve had a sucky collection rate for the last couple weeks (after Sept. results were in), but — come on, you’re buying prime time infomercials.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
LOL! I gave my “last” $50 a few days ago, then got the “You were one of our first donors” email and then the email from Barack… and I pulled out the credit card and sent ‘em another $25. Call me a sucker, but I feel good about it.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I’m a feel-good sucker too.
I gave another $50. GObama!
(I shall eat my ramen noodles in the honor of Democrats everywhere.)
October 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I want my money back! I donated .01 to McCadaver, I figure it will cost the more to process it!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
the point of political donations is for it to be spent, right? ergo if you give money you want it to be spent, not sat on? and so replenishing the coffers after a good ad buy is a problem how?
October 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Why don’t they just steal some credit card numbers and/or use fake names for maxed out donors? Or get some foreigners to donate using untraceable cards?
October 30th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I sent $25 and I feel fine about it. I agree with spavis at 22: if the money will make a difference, I can spare it. Let it go to Hagan or Darcy Burner or Vic Wulsin in Ohio if they need it, let it go for coffee for the people who are driving other people to the polls, or donuts for the folks standing in line for 6 hours to vote, or more ads like the one we all saw last night.
We’re going to do this thing together.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I got that email too and my reaction wasn’t “Clever.” Obama-Biden, I love you, you’re the hope of our nation, I’ve given you a lot more than I can afford, but strictly with regards to this email, fuck you.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
This is what I do now, I go to the Obama Store and buy stuff. That way I’m still donating cause it costs nothing to make that stuff, but I don’t feel like such a chump because I get stuff.
Is this wrong…I feel a little guilty but not enough to stop loading up on Obama gear.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:28 am
I had the same reaction to the email, but oddly enough, I donated 50 dollars a while ago, and they’re still asking me for 25. I suppose I’m fine with that, and after reading these comments I’m glad they never got my phone number.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:52 am
True, they behave like dogs who have had a taste of table food during dinner. Most of the time I ignore them, but every now and then I relent, knowing that will only encourage them.
That said, I happily sent more dough tonight. No matter what, this is the most fun I have ever had with politics. I am delighted that Obama caught on to the fact it would never be a level playing field using new politics against the Republicans. Money and plenty of it was the only way to be heard over the heads of RW talk radio, bizarro smear emails, and Rovian on steroid tactics.
I feel like adding some more, now that I think about it.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:57 am
Yeah, it’s probably worth it to buy some Obama merchandise. I’d say it would appreciate but since 130 million people will have the same crap I’m probably wrong. I gave before Iowa so I’m feeling like that money was better spent than a few bucks now, which I really can’t afford.
I’d buy some Hillary supporters for McCain merch though. Nobody will believe that shit 50 years from now.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:05 am
Don’t worry. I just sent Obama $300. That’s $10 for every whiner in this thread.
If you’re tapped out, fine. I understand. But there’s an awful lot at stake in this election. Buck up, amigos.
There’ll be no whining if McCain gets in and marches you or your kids off to fight in Iran.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:54 am
Ha ha! Agreed!
October 31st, 2008 at 5:12 am
They should keep this up after the election – raise $50 million a month for good causes.
October 31st, 2008 at 7:42 am
You want to know why Republicans have dominated American politics since 1980? Because they don’t whine when they are asked to contribute to what they believe in.
October 31st, 2008 at 7:56 am
I’m mclovin the comments. I’m wondering why they didn’t use a more honest and vigorous tactic: “They’re spending to defend MT and WV…we’ve got ‘em on the rack…let’s keep stretching ‘em until they snap!” Or “We’ve got ‘em in an arm bar…now let’s break that sucker!” Of course, clean it up for family viewing, but basically make that pitch. I would have gone for that.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:29 am
I give until it hurts to Obama’s campaign. I heard a quote once something like this – It takes money to make money – something to that effect. I’m investing in Obama now because I know the return will be tenfold!
October 31st, 2008 at 10:51 am
I have about 500 fundraising emails from the Obama team in my inbox, and that was the stupidest one. At least, the stupidest one that I actually read. The only one that actually pissed me off. I’ve given about 6 car payments’ worth, and no, I’m not going to take kindly to being asked to scrape up another $100 (!!) so we can win Montana. That money, to the extent that I actually have it, is going to tight Congressional races. If you want my money, it’s gotta be because we’re $100 from sealing the deal on NC, or because we’re slipping in PA, or something like that. Not to push into solid red states. Not when my company’s future is so uncertain. Come on.
October 31st, 2008 at 10:57 am
OK, maybe I’m being superstitious, but I want to temper that comment. I’m just saying it’s all about the emphasis. This is far too important not to give it everything we’ve got. But yeah, it definitely bothered me to be talking about WV and MT. I’ll probably have more to say about this after the election is over, but for now, I don’t want my reaction to one boneheaded email to make me give the impression I hold anything against the campaign, which has been an amazing thing overall.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I don’t have much in the way of money for donations, so I try to spread the wealth. I sent out my final chunk of change a week and a half ago.
To 3 candidates for Congress and one Senate candidate.
Obama’s raised nearly a billion. Dan Seals, Colleen Callahan, Debbie Halvorson and Jim Martin need my piddly donation more than Obama does.
If those 4 win, it benefits obama a lot more than buying a few more cases of bottled water for the field offices.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Obama needs that money to redo the White House in
black marble
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