TheHill: Obama could raise $100 million in June

Barack Obama is $100M man
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 06/09/08

Leading Democratic fundraisers predict that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will raise hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few months if he opts out of public financing and begins raising money for the general election.

Specifically, they say Obama could raise $100 million in June and could attract 2.5 million to 3 million new donors to his campaign.

These fundraisers say Obama could increase his fundraising dramatically because of three factors: a boost of enthusiasm among Obama donors following his clinching of the nomination; the migration of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) donors to his camp; and the mobilization of big Democratic donors who have given little so far this year.

Record-breaking projections give Obama strong incentive to pass up $85 million in public funds that his opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), has said he would accept.

The question of whether to accept public financing has become a quandary for Obama. He appeared to pledge earlier in the campaign that he would if the Republican nominee did the same. Obama’s aides now claim he merely pledged to “pursue” a fundraising agreement with the Republican nominee.

Though political watchdog groups such as Democracy 21 have pressed Obama to accept government financing, he has resisted because the law would restrict him to spending only as much as McCain — $85 million —between the end of August and Election Day. Democratic fundraisers say Obama could outspend McCain by a margin of 3 to 1, or more, if he skipped taxpayer-subsidized funding.

“One hundred million dollars this June — it’s definitely within reach,” said Wade Randlett, who has raised more than $200,000 for Obama.“

Randlett said Obama would not likely reach the awe-inspiring total if he limited himself to contributions that could only be spent before the August convention.

Cont Reading: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/barack-obama-is-100m-man-2008-06-09.html

I thought I saw the other day that the RNC was not held to it, so reupped my monthly donation to the DNC instead of donating directly to the campaign.

Am I understanding this right?

people(important in our own right:P) so why should he limit himself to government funds?

I'm guessing he and our campaign will need that money to get his message out against the mainstream media mccainites, swiftboaters and all around rabid weasels..

my donations to the primary at all... I'd have no idea if I tapped out.... I want today's money going towards the GE if that were the case....

please, pretty please! :think:

and I know many others who did too. I think it will be a huge month!

I figure either way, it will help. I believe that other candidates have used leftover primary funds for downticket races.I know it will be utilized in some way, and I have no conditions of my own placed on my donation, so that is fine with me.... even if it went to Hil.

and another $100 on the day he clinched the nod! Come on, Obama, opt out so that we can donate as much as we can to help all of the great candidates running for Congress and local races!!

BTW, McGramps already tried to go back on public financing for the primaries so it's not like he hasn't changed his mind too.

I also think that a campaign based on millions of small donations is the essence of "public financing." Ideally, I feel that campaign finance reform should focus on restricting large donors, corporations, etc, but allow for large numbers of small donations from the public. That is in the spirit of democracy, IMO.

Much of that money comes from employees of an industry who all write $2000 checks. This is called "bundling". And yes Obama does it. The reason he is raising record amounts of money is indeed small contributions. But the $2000 checks are a big part of it as well.

I also have less of a problem with this in the General Election than I do in the primary. IMO in the primaries, the DNC should impose spending limits on the candidates so that every candidate has an opportunity to compete. In the General Election both candidates are going to have a party machine behind them and ungodly amounts of money no matter what happens.

seeing as how he's had his shady dealing already with the FEC.

F the pledge!

The money is necessary to fight the 527's.


Just say... "I underestimated the generosity of common Americans... and our campaign is the ULTIMATE 'publicly-financed' campaign."

In answer to the question about donations to the primary verses the general, Barack's website says:

An individual may contribute a maximum of $2,300 per election (the primary and general are separate elections). By submitting your contribution, you agree that the first $2,300 is designated for the primary, and any additional amount up to $2,300 is designated for the general election.

Does any one have a line on how much was raised during May?

of public financing. McCain is going to use public financing, but the RNC is going to try to funnel money through 527's to hit Obama.

be forced to fight for states Republicans ordinarily take for granted.

I like the brains of Dean's 50-state presence and the charisma of a national candidate like Obama.

McCain is going to get steamrolled.

...he's got the ULTIMATE "publicly financed" campaign already. Average donation $97. He'll be getting more from me between now and November, too.

He is already on his way to spending a decent chunk of $85 million. Obama will probably have spent that much halfway through july, McCain sometime in early august.

Of course, it promises to be that no matter what, but it will be much worse if both candidates agree to public finance -- and it would be a pointless agreement.

Obama has made the need for public financing obsolete.

With a $2300 cap -- and that amount could be negotiated -- no PAC or lobby money, Obama is getting his funding entirely from individuals who believe his message enough to send in money.

That's the whole point of any public finance effort -- to get people elected through the will of the people, rather than large corporate donations or rich people.

The McCain loopholes allow 527s to get around public financing anyway. If Obama were to agree to public financing, that groundswell of support he's gotten would just shift to those 527 groups. The same would happen on McCain's side. Unfortunately, those groups can put out any slime they like, and are not answerable to the campaign.

So, if Obama were to go along with public financing, it would ensure the slimiest campaign ever seen, because all the money would be controlled by the renegade 527 groups.