Obama rivals Clinton in fundraising ($25 Million)

[doxieone]

Source: Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Democrat Barack Obama raked in $25 million for his presidential bid in the first three months of 2007, placing him on a par with front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee.

The eye-popping figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fundraising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention.

While Clinton has honed a vast national fundraising network through two Senate campaigns and her husband's eight years as president, Obama launched his bid for the White House with a relatively small donor base concentrated largely in Illinois, his home state. But his early opposition to the
Iraq war and voter excitement over his quest to be the first black president quickly fueled a powerful fundraising machine.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_el_pr/obama_money_1

[maddezmom]

1. link here

Obama rivals Clinton in fundraising By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
6 minutes ago



DAVENPORT, Iowa - Democrat Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) raked in $25 million for his presidential bid in the first three months of 2007, placing him on a par with front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee.

The eye-popping figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fundraising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_el_pr/obama_money_1

[doxieone]

4. THANKS for providing this. n/t

n/t

[maddezmom]

6. you're welcome

:hi:

[Purveyor]

2. AP: Obama Rivals Clinton in Fundraising

(04-04) 08:06 PDT Davenport, Iowa (AP) --


Democrat Barack Obama raked in $25 million for his presidential bid in the first three months of 2007, placing him on a par with front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee.

---
The eye-popping figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fundraising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention.

While Clinton has honed a vast national fundraising network through two Senate campaigns and her husband's eight years as president, Obama launched his bid for the White House with a relatively small donor base concentrated largely in Illinois, his home state. But his early opposition to the Iraq war and voter excitement over his quest to be the first black president quickly fueled a powerful fundraising machine.

---eoe---

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/04/04/politics/p080327D35.DTL

[aquart]

3. I love how money matters more than votes. Don't you?

And it's good that no one is profoundly uneasy at the way rich people are embracing Obama just like Hillary.

But Hillary is bad and Obama is good?

[Vinca]

5. I think Obama has more contributors giving smaller amounts. nt

[Pachamama]

7. Hey Aquart! There is a different explanation here than just money & the rich embracing Obama:

:hi:

Friend of mine who worked on the Kerry campaign raising funds and is now working on the Obama fundraising and is very tied in with people working with the Clintons told me that a bunch of things have happened - the first is that a lot of people who had traditionally given larger checks ($1000+) in the past to Clinton, came over to the Obama camp. Those people aren't necessarily "rich" people...I by the way am one of them and I wouldn't classify myself as "rich". But the second thing that happened is that they had an overwhelming number of people who were either first time donors to a campaign (any for that matter) who gave $25 or $50 and they also had a lot of $100+ donations from people across the board - not to different from when Howard Dean was getting internet donations etc. and donations from the "people".

I think that the Clinton people realize what this really means - it isn't about the money, but rather that the dollar amount represents "the votes" and they know that what Obama just raised was more than just the dollar amount, but rather the amount of people and the movement behind him. I for one am excited that Obama got this amount of money because it shows that the Clintons can't win simply by playing the money card. It shows that Obama can win at that game if that's what is going to determine it. But most importantly, it shows that the people are behind him.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. Exactly.

One $1000 contribution to Clinton represents 1 vote. 4 $50 contributions to Obama represent 4 votes. She may have raised more money, but he has more individual backing, at this point. She should be worried.

[Pachamama]

19. According to my friend, the Clinton folks are worried....

Very worried. And although they may not show it and carry a public face, according to my friend who is very well connected, they are behind the scenes in the War room and trying to figure out what to do.

I went to a dinner a few months back where a very large contributor to the Clintons and DNC (someone who writes checks over $25K without blinking - yes, they are rich) was trying to get everyone there at the dinner excited to donate and raise money for Clinton. All the people there, especially the women, had all in the past given money to Clinton and attended fundraisers when she came to San Francisco (which is quite often). Every single person, especially the women, were all for Obama and the only two that were constantly gun-ho about Hillary were this one woman Susi Buell (who is a big Hillary supporter) and another named Carmel Greenberg and her husband Eric(check out their campaign donations in public records - you'll see). The woman who is my friend connected into fundraising with Obama and who knows the Clintons was there and every single woman there with the exception of those two mentioned were all saying they loved Obama and they weren't supporting Hillary on this run. I found that fascinating and very telling. Meanwhile, like you said, 4 $50 contributions from people represent four votes as opposed to one $1000 contribution equaling one vote. And apparentely, Obama did great on both, but if one were to be tallying "votes", Obama is kicking butt. And the Clintons know it.

By the way - I trust my friend on this one - she told me a week plus before Vilsack quit that he was going to be quitting....she has always given me the scoop and been right.

:hi: NCevildoer!

[ronnykmarshall]

8. Of course Hillary is bad and Obama is good!

Don't be silly!

:sarcasm:

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

13. His top number is the number of donors :-)

Here is the snap shot -- look what he is emphasizing (clue: first number :))

[ryanmuegge]

24. Don't think. You'll upset the herd.

[liberalnurse]

25. Well lets keep in mind now

that funds do need to be raise so the message can be sent loud and clear. The GOP'er are ahead of us in this area don't forget. Now, the Primaries are just about 10 months out....so this is the money collection phase. The cost of media advertising and managing a cross country campaign....well, money makes the candidate visible.

Votes are coming....this is how they access the voters.

I'm just feeling frisky today, playing the other side of a coin.

I'm holding out a bit longer with evaluating the rich vs rich candidate. To be honest, today, we need the money and I can't blame them for accepting. I'm comfortable with believing the FEC rules are being inspected under a microscope by each campaign manager.

[Skinner]

9. Amazing.

Methinks this is going to be an exciting primary.

Let's hope DU can get through it without imploding.

[ronnykmarshall]

11. No kidding.

You guys are going to have your hands full.

[Clarkie1]

73. My opinion is the odds are about even for it going to the covention. nt

[VegasWolf]

10. All Riiiight!!!!!! Way to go Obama!!!!! You've got my vote! nt

[yellowcanine]

12. Well so much for Obama "fading", "getting in too early" etc. You don't raise that kind of

dough as a relative newcomer to presidential politics unless a lot of people are firmly committed to your candidacy. Hillary's camp has got to be concerned about this. Being roughly at parity with Obama or any other candidate at this point in the campaign was not part of the game plan, you can be sure of that. Clinton's hope was to create an air of inevitability to her nomination by raising big bucks early. The fact that Obama has essentially matched her (and maybe even more than that, as she has been at it far longer and has higher name recognition) in money destroys the notion of inevitability. If Obama scores a couple of early caucus/primary wins, Clinton could be on the ropes by this time next year.

[Eurobabe]

15. I received this email, just now...

Dear 48%er,

Ten weeks ago, on an icy day in Springfield, we launched an audacious campaign to change our politics and lift our country.

Today, I have some exciting news to share about the phenomenal progress we've made. And I wanted you to hear it first.

I'm proud to tell you that, after the first quarter of the campaign, we've exceeded all of our hopes and expectations.

In less than three months, a staggering 100,000 Americans have contributed to our cause -- tens of thousands more than the number reported by any other campaign. That's on top of the hundreds of thousands who have attended rallies, started groups and shared their ideas and energy.

It's been a truly historic response -- a measure of just how hungry people are to turn the page on this era of small and destructive politics and repair our American community.

And because of that extraordinary base of support, we were able to raise an astonishing $25 million -- $23.5 million of which can be used to help us in the upcoming primary contests.

What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is that we did it without taking any money from PACs or federal lobbyists. Instead, we're counting on you; on folks across America who want to take their country back and steer us to a better course.

You've sent an unmistakable message to the political establishment in Washington about the power and seriousness of our challenge.

But for all the impressive numbers by which pundits will judge this campaign, we know that every step of our progress happens one person at a time.

One person sharing their story of why they decided to get involved in the political process, one volunteer deciding to have a conversation about the campaign with their neighbor, one donor owning a piece of this campaign for as little as $5.

I've been struck by how personal this campaign experience has been for so many of you.

You heard last week from Rashed, a veteran and father who made his first-ever donation to a political campaign because of his hopes for his daughter. This campaign is the story of hundreds of thousands of people like him -- people participating because they believe that politics can mean something again.

We've put together a small presentation about all we've accomplished together so far, and links to a few of the personal stories from people who donated to the campaign or hosted a community get-together this past weekend. You can see it here:

http://my.barackobama.com/wherewestand

I want to thank you for all that you have done so far. This milestone for our campaign proves something I learned as a community organizer long ago: that together a whole lot of ordinary people can achieve something extraordinary.

And we're only just getting started.

Thank you, Barack Obama

[rebel with a cause]

45. I recieved this too.

It did my heart good to receive this good news on a day that is unseasonably cold here in Southern Illinois.

Go Barack!! Go Liberals!!

[VegasWolf]

16. Seems I read that Hillary used 10 million left over from her Senate campaign as part of the 26

million dollar figure she quoted. Looks like Obama may have beat her big time.

[LionInWinter]

21. No, the 10 million was in addition to the 26 raised.

She has a total of 36 million in the bank, although they haven't stated how much of that can be used in the primaries and how much is for the general election.

[VegasWolf]

22. Okay, thanks. nt

[Tellurian]

17. Call me skeptical..

I find it hard to believe it's possible/true..

I have my flame retardant suit on...so flame a way.

[VegasWolf]

18. My guess is that people percieve Obama as the "anybody but Hillary" cnadidate. nt

[Tellurian]

28. wrong train of thought..

nope, what bothers me is Obama's close affiliation to King-Pin Republicans like Richard Luger.
Plus the fact, republicans have no conscience when it comes to dirty tricks..and may be victimizing Obama.
Plus the fact, he let the 'cat out of the bag' with the 'Congress won't play chicken funding the troops' comment the other day..

just keeping track of the nuances and filing them under the category labeled, "suspicious"-

[VegasWolf]

30. How so? You did not present any evidence to contradict my assertion

that people were voting for Obama because they so intensely dislike Hillary. All you have done is spout anti-Obama rhetoric. As far as your "cat out of the bag" comment, his comment is nothing compared to Hillary's war like stances.

[Tellurian]

32. Your statement has nothing to do with mine..

My statement indicates something smells fishy about Obama's contributions and the reasons why.
No one has voted for Obama yet. Are you confusing tallying donors with votes?

[VegasWolf]

35. LOL! That's your response. Really,

People are "voting" with their pocketbooks. It is called a "vote of confidence" when people support a candidate with their hard-earned money. There is no reason to think that their actual vote will be any different than the "token vote" they are giving Obama with these huge number of contributions.
Why are you Hillary supporters so literal?

Your original response claimed I was on the "wrong train of thought" due to my assertion that people may be "voting" for Obama because Hillary is such a turn off for so many voters.

Your justification for your "wrong train" assertion was simply a set of negative attacks on Obama.

Once again, don't you think that Hillary's negatives turn off so many people that they are actively seeking a "non-Hillary" candidate?

[BigDDem]

37. "All you have done is spout anti-Obama rhetoric"

and you would never "spout" anti-Hillary rhetoric, right?

[VegasWolf]

40. You do realize that is not the issue I'm sure! The poster's response was

orthogonal to the question being asked.

I constantly say anti-Hillary things because I am one of the SO MANY people that are SO POLARIZED by Hillary. But I don't do that tangently in a non-response response. I do so directly.

:evilgrin:

[Tellurian]

43. I have a problem relating to people who are stuck in a polarizing rut..

because that word is meaningless to me, when the candidate in question, Hillary, is by far the most qualified of the field of candidates due to her accomplishments and her ability to swiftly bring this country back to it's former self. That claim I cannot attribute to any other candidate, neither can you..

You can click any issue here to see what she has done:

http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/index.cfm

[rebel with a cause]

50. You know I have been taking the high road and not attacking any of the Democratic candidates

but you are getting on my last nerve. I know what Hilary has done, I don't need to read her record. I use to like Hilary and Bill, but not so much any more. I got off the Clinton train only recently when I began to see who they were tied to. Sorry, but her being a woman does not make her any better/worse in my eyes, but her being who she is does make her a candidate that I will not back. My son told me the other day that he will not vote if Hilary is the candidate. Why. Because of her own actions.

I will not sink so low as to say any more. I am going back to my old stance that if you can't say anything good then don't say anything at all. That is until the next time the attack on Barack gets to me. :grr:

[VegasWolf]

66. Your post is confusing given the facts. Would you please restate your question. nt

[ronnykmarshall]

51. Damn!

Can you bother you to hold on to some wet towels of mine? My washer's on the blink and they way you can spin, I figure you'd have almost dry in a jiff!

[VegasWolf]

67. Why?

:evilgrin:

[jakem]

75. "orthogonal" nice word. nt

[ronnykmarshall]

49. Hold on for the spin!

[rebel with a cause]

46. Thanks,

I'll do that, only with Hilary and Edwards in mind. I have quite a few in mind but, unlike you, I don't need to share them on a Democratic message board in order to get other people to support my candidate.

[Forkboy]

20. Why naturally you are.

[Tellurian]

26. Not really, but I am a bit of an optimistic/ pragmatist..

and something just doesn't smell right. Alls I'm doing is staking my right to an opinion and recording it for posterity.

[rebel with a cause]

52. I'm glad that is alls your doing.

:)

[CRH]

27. What, hard to believe he robbed some of Hillary's jewels? ...

Rather than disbelief in numbers easily provable, why not challenge the right wing source. I mean, this story was written with obvious bias.

snip from OP link

The eye-popping figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. *** It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fund raising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention. ***

snip

I mean, did she really say, ... she hoped her 26 million would squeeze her rivals from the race? Ask for links, this is obviously a smear.

[Tellurian]

29. The jewels are all intact..

How many times do you want to be wrong today?

"It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fund raising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention."

#2 This is not a Clinton quote, but the spin by a hyperactive AP reporter adding a little shine to his story.

Should I keep track of your errors or can I trust you to be honest?

[CRH]

33. Nah, you don't need to keep track of my errors, ...

It was said tongue and cheek because you said you were ready for a flame.

It was also a sort of a parody of the Clinton threads, that you are often a contributor.

And yes, you can trust me to be honest, when I'm mistaken I will admit to error. But first, I must be convinced.

[Tellurian]

34. First of all, I prefer parity to parody...

all things being equal..



and this tongue and cheek caricature, should convince you (of something)..

[CRH]

39. From parody to parity, but no clarity. ...

Oh well perhaps another day, humor will find home.

No ear from lost love, he never heard the dove again. And later to only find without his lenses he was also blind. And finally through tongue and cheek, he realized oh so meek, he lost his nose to spite his face, and then he lost the race. Oops electrical storm got to go so I won't bore you so.

[ronnykmarshall]

36. Hillary raises money = Bad Evil Spawn of Satan

Obama raises money = Ring out the church bells! Dance nekkid in the streets!

This joint is so predictable.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

41. how dare some people like Obama more than Hillary!

honestly, the nerve! :eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

47. Oh please!

It's not about liking one over the other. I like them both.

It's about all the screaming, moaning and gnashing of teeth the other day when Hillary released her fund raising totals. NOW when Obama does, it's all sunshine and lollipops.

[rebel with a cause]

54. I am an Obama supporter = I'm happy.

Hilary announced her 26 mil = I said nothing because it was nothing to me.

Now lets see any of you Hilary supporters say the same.

[ronnykmarshall]

56. I wasn't talking about you sweetie.

But since we're at it ..... can ya direct me to a post where I was talking shit about Obama?

I won't lump you into a group, so don't do that to me either.

Oh and her name is spelled "Hillary" w/ two L's.

:hi:

[rebel with a cause]

59. Sorry, fast typing because I'm posting instead of cooking.

Sorry also that I lumped you with the other posters. Somehow thought is was a group effort attack. Much love back.

[ronnykmarshall]

60. Watcha cookin, good lookin?

[rebel with a cause]

62. A quick dinner for my daughter before her guitar lesson

And then got to come up with something for my vegetarian son.

If I was rich enough to live alone, my cooking time would be cut considerably, but I can't complain because my kids are my kids. ;-)

[ronnykmarshall]

70. I love when peeps on DU talk about cooking dinner.

Most the time I'm at work when y'all are in the kitchen and it makes my hungry!

[rebel with a cause]

71. What I cooked tonight would not make anyone hungry.

;-) My son ended up going out to get something to eat.

Edited to add: But the dog food I made last night was a big hit with the labs today, so I guess I know where my cooking talents are at. ;-)

[BigDDem]

42. So true

Where are all the usual suspects screaming that he is
"BUYING THE ELECTION?"

[ronnykmarshall]

48. They are singing

"O Happy Day" while spining their heads faster than Linda Blair trying to explain "the difference".

If you thought the 2004 primary was butt ugly around here ....... watch out for flying bullshit in '08.

[VegasWolf]

68. Actually, a lot of us Obama supporters are invigorated that Obama is running neck an neck with

Hillary!

[Tellurian]

44. agreed, rkm...

just another day in the trenches with the one caveat, hooray for Bama...

It will be interesting after all the donations are reviewed, if his figure stands as quoted.
Not that I wish the guy bad luck or anything...just that, it's seems a little to "convenient" to me..

[ronnykmarshall]

53. Can you imagine the exploding heads ....

if Hillary gets the nomination and picks Obama?

That BTW would be MY dream ticket!

[rebel with a cause]

55. Talk about BS!

"Not that I wish the guy bad luck or anything" If that were true, you would not be posting all these allegations against him. JMHO

[Tellurian]

61. If your trying to make something out of

a sincere comment...you can stop right there bud-

Obama's team is guilty of making green horn mistakes. The usual procedure after campaign contributions are accepted is each one has to be scrutinized, making sure it is in compliance with the donating rules, then credited as a bonifide donation. Seeing Obama has so many newbies on his staff it's entirely possible some donations may not fit the donation criteria. What I said, doesn't even rise to the definition of the word "allegation".

Are you people so used to blowing smoke and lying about Hillary that you've lost your way about what "IS" IS and what "IS" IS NOT? heh...don't make me laugh!

[rebel with a cause]

64. We people are who, pray tell?

I have not been blowing smoke or lying about Hilary. I have lost interest in her as a candidate but I have not lost my way by any means. Your comments up thread are "allegations" concerning his campaign fund raising and that is why I made any comments at all. I have not said anything negative about your candidate before this, and I kept what I have said here at a minimum. I know that Barack's team has made small mistakes, I can live with that, and you don't have to point them out. You see, I support Barack because I believe he is the best candidate not because he is flawless and polished. If I wanted smooth and polished, Hilary still would not be my candidate, but I prefer what I saw in Barack in 2004 and I will stay with my choice. You don't have to laugh, because if anything the joke is on you because of your blind support of your candidate.

I have my eyes wide open, and I have made my choice. Things can change, and I may change my mind, but those attacking Barack are not going to do it. If anything these attacks make me more focused on the negatives of their candidates. And may I say here that if supporters of Barack's are attacking other candidates, they should not do it. It is too early in the game to be attacking each other, and it only gives fuel to the freepers that read this board. Go in peace.

[Laurab]

23. "dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee"

that's my favorite sentence. I don't like having an "inevitable nominee", particularly when they've done nothing (IMO), to earn it. I don't know who I will vote for in the primaries yet, but I'm leaning toward Obama, and I'm one of the "online donors", who donated a small amount. It's the grassroots at work here, I think, and I'm really happy to see this.

So much can change between now and the primary, one or two other people might enter and change the entire landscape, but I love that the "inevitable nominee" is being "dashed".

[rebel with a cause]

57. I am also a "online donor" of a small amount.

I know others who have also donated. Gee I wonder why we even bother arguing with those who are without an argument, only allegations. :grr:

[Laurab]

74. Well, usually I don't but....

I saw that someone upthread said Hillary was far and away the most qualified, and I disagree with that - I really don't think her qualifications are any better than those of Edwards or Obama. She was married to Bill, and is - well ok, she's got more time in the senate than Obama.

She's my senator, and I'm not really impressed. I don't DISLIKE her, I just want her not to be the "inevitable candidate" because she was married to Bill, and because the repukes want her to be. I also think she would be the best get-out-the-vote candidate - unfortunately, for the wrong party.

I didn't feel a need to post in Hillary's fundraising thread - I don't understand why someone "wouldn't believe" Obama raised as much as he has, but my guess is that it's someone who hasn't watched his announcement, or his subsequent speeches to crowds of people, asking them to get involved. He has so much charisma....something special - I think the same thing Bill Clinton had, and really inspires the people he's speaking to.

I was inspired to give a small donation, even though I don't know who I'll be supporting when the primary arrives. I only know who I won't be supporting, at this point. I am just happy to see that he is posing a serious challenge to the "inevitable" candidate, because I think we, the voters, should have a chance to choose our candidate, and not let the media do it for us.

[rebel with a cause]

76. I agree that the media should not choose our candidate.

As I have said many times, I volunteered for Barack in 2004, and I was very impressed with him. I'm with you again when I say that I don't know why someone would say that there was something "fishy" about the way he raised the money, he has no history of unethical fund raising or anything like that. I feel it is just a shot in the dark to throw suspicion on him in order to make Hilary look better. I don't think now is the time to go after someone in this manner. If they want to say they don't like him and don't want to vote for him, so be it, but to make unfounded allegations against him is just reckless in my mind. Again I am with you when you say you feel no need to post in Hilary's fund-raising thread. I pass them by and never say/post a word. I respect everyone's right to celebrate their candidates fund-raising in peace. I think they should allow us the same right.

[yodermon]

31. so he'll be the howard dean of '08

great.

[ronnykmarshall]

58. Sounds like it.

Not his chances in the race. I think he's going to do great.

But he's already been turned into "do not touch" candidate of DU like Dean was in 2004.

Lord help ANYONE that said something negative about Dean in '04.

[VegasWolf]

69. We'll see, so far Obama has presented himself as extremely articulate, prepared,

and ready to run.

[Lil Missy]

79. That wouldn't be a good thing. Dean lost

I do hope he does well, but a lot can happen in a year.

[hedgehog]

38. What does it mean that so few people have replied to this thread?

I would have expected it to shoot straight to the top, but it seems to be getting a tepid response.

[Acadia Blue]

63. I like HIllary but I want her to stay in the Senate.Edwards, Obama,

and Richardson stand a better chance of winning. Hillary should stay a Senator and Bill should run for Congress.

[truthisfreedom]

65. What I see here are the top two Democratic Party candidates for President raising a sh*tload of $$$.

None of this means anything yet. Let's just wait and see how it plays out.

Ultimately, we have to admit that we're going to vote for whoever wins the primary, because we're sure not going to vote for any thug or let someone bleed of votes for our Democatic candidate.

[Clarkie1]

72. I read raised more money than Clinton that can be used in the primary.

Heard a lot of Clinton's money can only be used if she wins the nomination? Is this true? Hope so!

[Arugula Latte]

77. This is great news.

Congrats Obama! :toast:

[freethought]

78. Hillary will definitely have a headache in the a.m. n/t