I don't know about you but the idea of my donation to Obama going to pay down HRC campaign debt make my stomach turn.
She has ruled it out, but a prompt withdrawal from the contest for the Democratic nomination offers Sen. Hillary Clinton the prospect of major rewards.
One of the most inviting is the near certainty that the Obama campaign would agree to pay back the $11.4 million she has loaned her own bid, along with an estimated $10 million to $15 million in unpaid campaign expenses
I've read this in a couple of places this one is from HuffPo. If its happened I would be outraged. The Clintons made over 100 million. They can easily afford to pay down her debt.
Obama should just let her campaign wind down on its own - it will be over by May 20th if not sooner. That money should be spent on winning the Presidency. Why should we have to pay for HRC's badly run campaign. I was going to donate to Obama (again) after his win yesterday but now I'm going to hold off until this is straightened out.
About the author: I am Dyslexic, it is a battle (which I often lose) to write without error. Thanks in advance for putting up with my mistakes
Yesterday I posted a diary about how Obama's new donors had slowed to a trickle. "Obama in big trouble!! ($ is drying up)" I admit it was an alarmist title to get people to read the rest of the diary but if what I had observed was true Obama would have had a problem. Now I am starting to think that the Obama camp is playing with the numbers on the counter.
Some had speculated that the counter isn't working correctly or that the Obama campaign is purposely controlling when #'s are added so they can time the announcement of the 1.5 million mark to a time that is most advantages for them but no-one presented any proof of this. (I have a call into a contact with inside knowledge but haven't gotten word back)
But now it seem something is going on. In the 24hrs period since my first post Obama had added only 430 new donors. In the time since I started writing/rewriting this diary (30 mins) the counter has gone up almost 4,000 new donors. I have to post this quick since the numbers keep changing.
What you say - he has raised $42 million last month? But I have notice a troubling development in the last week since PA the # of new donors has turned into a trickle.
by tonnyb [Subscribe]
Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:22:04 PM EDT
I have been casually tracking Obama's new donors over the past 24 hours. Last night the count past through 1,375,000 mark. This evening at about 8:30 the count was 1,428,959.
Its true right after PA Obama got a bunch of new donors but the count right now is at 1,445,343 (1:23 EDT 4/29/08). In the last 12 hours they have only added 300 new donors. That right only 300 new donors in 12 hours!!
In the 6 days since PA they have only added a little over 16,000 new donors and the rate is slowing considerably to less than 1000 day. If you estimate that 50% of the donations are from new donors that means only 2000 a day. And based on an average of $96/donor thats only $192,000/day down from 1,350,000/day in March - thats a -86% drop in donations. Now they may be getting more repeat donations but the drop off in new donors is very troubling. I think we are getting to the point of talking to the choir. Obama needs to get off the ranch and start reaching out to new people.
Illinois Governor Blagojevich Signs National Popular Vote Bill
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, April 7, 2008 — Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed the National Popular Vote bill. The bill has been signed into law in Maryland (10 electoral votes), New Jersey (15 electoral votes), and Illinois (21 electoral votes). This total of 46 electoral votes is more than one-sixth of the 270 electoral votes needed to bring the legislation into effect.
We are closer to the day when all votes for President will count the same. If you are not familiar with the National Popular Vote Bill please check out their website and see what's going on in your state. If you know anyone in the media please let them know about this so we can get more press on this issue.
The idea is very clever and gets around the need for a constitutional amendment to get rid of the electoral college. It uses the legal framework of the interstate compact avoiding the need for unilateral disarmament such as the pervious proportional allocation of delegates in California as well as the 2/3's majority to amend the constitution. More details on the National Popular Vote Bill below.
As has been widely rumored Hillary raise 20 million* in March - compared with 40 million to Obama. Now the fact that he raised double what she did is impressive but what is not being noted is that her $$ have fallen off alot more then Obama's:
Obama raised 55 million in Feb and 40 million in March a drop of 27%
Hillary raised 35 million in Feb and 20 million in March a drop of 43%
Obama had cash in the bank Hillary was basically broke plus Hillary's Bosinia story broke at the end of the Month and she had her TX/OH wins in the beginning of the month so it should have been a strong month for her. Obama on the other hand had a rough month between TX/OH and Wright.
If the trend continues
Hillary will raise 11.5 million in April
Obama will raise 29 million in April.
An almost 3 to 1 advantage. She may want to go on til the end but may run out of cash.
*the campaign has not release an official amount so it could be even less.
Update based on Comments
One other factor is how much of the 20 million is for the general and how much she can actually use in the primary - this may be the real reason she is holding off on releasing the official #'s until she has to file.
Did Barak Obama's real problem come in December of 2007?
In December 2007, the Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) bestowed its highest social achievement award upon Louis Farrakhan, the head of the Nation of Islam. This was facilitated through the church's publication Trumpet Magazine and presented at their end of the year awards gala. The award dubbed the Lifetime Achievement "Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Trumpet" Award is named after the head pastor that married Barack and Michele Obama nee Robinson.
Forget the Rev. Wright remarks this is much more problematic - Dec 2007 was the during his run for the President - as soon as he learned about this award he should have quit his church in protest - or should he?
This story needs to be debunked because there are some important details that are missing but it will only reduce the damage not make it go away completely - Obama made a mistake with this one and here is why. (more on the flip side)
After getting my head handed to me by the Obama worshipers on this site for daring to propose a course of action for Obama to take. This is a mild example I left out the name calling ones
i think he knows what he is doing and that he is capable of making his own decisions.
I started to get a sense of why the Clinton folks had their ridiculous "Strike". I'm an Obama supporter (have been from the beginning) and the way I was attacked for proposing that he do something different was shocking - I love the DKos for its perspective and its a great place to test out ideas but this was new.
So to try and keep the following comments thread constructive I will preface the following statements with the fact that I am not sure the right approach - I am just positing the following to be discussed - a debate of the pro's and con's - maybe even have people read the comments before voting in the poll.
Ok so here goes - he types nervously - Rev Wright could end Obama. He needs to do a frontal assault on the right wing media by going on FOX News Sunday (FNS) with Chris Wallace, Go on Rush Limbaugh, Bill-O, the Wall Street Journal etc. BUT change the ground rules - do it on his terms. What do I mean (below the fold)
The economy is blowing up, McCain is in Iraq looking presidential (ok that might not be a good thing for Jon but) - Obama is about to give a self centered speech about himself and race.
He should call it off (saying he will address later) and use the press focus to pivot the discussion to the economy. He issued a press release about it today but that doesn't go far enough.
At this moment, we must come together and act to address the housing crisis that set this downturn in motion and continues to eat away at the public’s confidence in the market. We should pass the legislation I put forward with my colleague, Chris Dodd, to create meaningful incentives for lenders to buy or refinance existing mortgages so that Americans facing foreclosure can keep their homes. This is not a bailout for lenders or investors who gambled recklessly, and it is not a windfall for borrowers. It is a fair and responsible way to help stem the foreclosure crisis. link to entire statement
He should get on plane and fly to Washington make a speech on the floor of the Senate pushing his and Senator Dodd's bill. (get some Rep on board if he can.)
Don't let the Republicans and the rightwing media drive you out of office!
You made a lot of powerful enemies in your career because you took on the most powerful crooks on Wall Street. Now your enemies are trying to get even by destroying your career and your life. Don't let them! .....
Now I live in NY and worked to help get Spitzer elected - but he must go. You can't run as a reformer - the top cop and then go break the law - I don't can if the Republicans play dirty - let them - Spitzer screwed up - he must go. (more below the fold about why Spitzer leaving is a good thing.) Democrats.com is making a big mistake by defending the indefensible and it hurts all Democrats - tell them to stop.
Bill Clinton of 2004 came out with a surprise endorsement of Obama. I would love to see the Obama camp run this ad in TX&OH.
Now alot of the polling (and Posts) lately has been very bullish on Obama's chances for Tuesday but one disturbing trend that shows up in a Graphic from the NYT is the fact that Obama's numbers are not going up as fast as Clinton's numbers are going down. Instead the number of undecided are going up. This is worrisome since more of the last minute voter on election day have been going for Clinton. Lets hope they break Obama's way this time around or else we could lose TX by 5+ and OH by 10+.
The attacks on Obama and his Patriotism and by association all Liberals/Progressives keep coming. Check out Republican Rep. Jack Kingston continue the attack today. He thinks it "fun" because it makes us mad. Shocking! Democrates get mad if you insult their Patriotism.
So the question is what can we do to fight back - We have ceded the high ground in the fight for too long and I think its time we struck back but how?
I have a few ideas about the Flag pin so I put up a poll specifically about Obama and the Flag pin. But I think the issue is much bigger than the pin so I am reaching out to the Dkos community for some solutions. I for one love this country and am sick of the right claiming we don't. Please help via the comments come up with some good ideas.
I will post a follow-up diary tomorrow with the best ideas.
The president who came to office with the most glittering array of experiences had served 10 years in the House of Representatives, then became minister to Russia, then served 10 years in the Senate, then four years as secretary of state (during a war that enlarged the nation by 33 percent), then was minister to Britain. Then, in 1856, James Buchanan was elected president and in just one term secured a strong claim to the rank as America's worst president. Abraham Lincoln, the inexperienced former one-term congressman, had an easy act to follow.
georgewill@washpost.com
This is one of the best arguments I have seen against the criticisms about Obama's lack of experience. And it comes from the Conservative George Will of all people - amazing.
Bush is going to Veto any bill that contains restriction on the funds that the congress passes - but the Dem's in congress do not have the votes yet to play chicken with him on funding. The best strategy for getting those votes it to punt for now.
What does that mean? Instead of passing the emergency funding for a whole year only give Bush 3 months worth of money.
General Petraeus has said we will know if the surge is working by August - 3 month of funding will get us to the end of August at which point it will be obvious to everyone but Bush that the Surge is not working.
So when the congress goes to vote again (end of August) on more funding for the war the Dems will be in a much stronger position and should even be able to start getting support from the more moderate Republicans.
Barack Obama has officially announced he is setting up an exploratory committee to start his Presidential bid for 2008.
The Lunchtime poll today is do you think that the way he made the announcement (I think this is a first in Presidential politics) via his own website barackobama.com was a smart move?
This poll is for the cold blooded cynical political Machiavellian among you who can put aside the death of our troops and the Iraq's as well as the $. The question of the day is this.
What is the best political move the Democrats can make regarding the war in Iraq?
I apologize in advance for not having every question option up or wording the questions the way you want - that is what the comments are for.
Please also leave comments for other lunchtime poll suggestions. THANKS
Apple's introduced its new iPhone yesterday and the one question is - when are you getting yours.
You'll be able to listen to your Barack Obama podcast right on your phone while reading the dKos on it as well.
Thats right Barack Obama has a podcast (so does Edwards and Hillary although she hasn't updated hers in a long while) its a pretty good use of the medium.
The actual 100 hours do not start til next Tuesday but the Dems have already passed changes to ethics rules including a ban on gifts, travel and meals from lobbyists.
For those counting the internal procedural changes - ethics reform, earmark disclosure, and pay-go do not count towards Nancy's 100-hour legislative blitz - the actually clock starts next Tuesday with HR1 about the Sept 11 commission recommendations.
The Lunchtime Poll question for today is:
Which change is the most important politically (I've included the rules changes with *) - specifically which one will help keep/grow the Dem majority going forward.
Let me know what you think - exciting times - pretty impressive list if you ask me!
