Question, why are people sending Obama so much money he doesn't need when we have so many

[saracat]

problems like poverty and infrastructures and health care that the money could be used toward? Does any candidate need this? And if Hillary is strapped for cash, it makes even less sense to drown this candidate in money.What a waste and new Orleans has "Yet" to have the levees fixed and we haven't rebuilt the bridge in MN. This is disgusting. And it doesn't say very much about the character of such a campaign that they would either solicit such funds or accept them.It may be naive of me but the "excess" is far more revolting than any of the so called "excesses of the 60's that Obama talks about.( And yes it it were Hillary , I would say the same thing. I have no favorites with this issue.) It is just Obama is the most egregious example of this waste right now.

[tabasco]

1. Nominated for stupidest post of the day.

Stunningly vapid.

[GoldieAZ49]

38. I'll second that

[Rosa Luxemburg]

81. I'll third that

gosh!

[Zueda]

94. I would third that but the day is still young. n/t

[cali]

58. No kidding. Talk about apples and carrots

desperate people write desperately stupid things.

[Donnachaidh]

76. it's only stupid because it points out the shallowness of the Obama crowd

Just proved that it's NOT about the issues -- it's the *audacity of HYPE*.

Truth hurts dude.

[GalleryGod]

92. Well,MR/MS (undeclared): It's MY $$$ from MY JOB, so STHU

I just alerted on you because your piss ant post = "Calling out" Obama donators.

RULES are wonderful things aren't they?????

[pnwmom]

82. You're stunningly rude. She asked a question that you could have answered

but you chose to insult her instead.

Nice.

[Catchawave]

103. It's the "cult" mentality :( By virtue they attacked saracat.....poorly

So much for Hope and Change and Unity. I'd like to see the question answered too. Obama's fundraising is way too much like those television preachers MORE MONEY, MORE MONEY FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Just my opinion....but it freaks me out.

But hey, it's all about money and polls......it's an auction, not an election. Sigh.

[maximusveritas]

104. Edwards didn't raise money?

I can remember countless funraising appeals from Edwards. This from a guy who had millions of his own money he could have but never did spend. But that's fine by me, because I understand that's what's needed to run an election

There are Edwards supporters so devoted to him they say they'll still vote for him even though he's dropped out. Are they also members of a "cult"?
I don't think so. I think they're just devoted to their candidate and his message and that's a good thing.

The problem here isn't the question. It's the blatant hypocrisy of those asking.

[Catchawave]

106. Edwards' campaign was issue driven

I see none of that in Obama's campaign. Even his Old Guard Establishment and Celebrity endorsers are tooting the HopeChangeUnity horn.....it's bothersome to me.

Even the well-mannered Obama supporters here on DU and at Daily Kos are all sizzle and no steak in their threads and diaries.

I'd like to know more about him other than polls, rallies and fundraising. In the meantime, I'm sticking with the Edwards Democrats and lean Hillary, better manners :D

[pnwmom]

107. He accepted matching federal funds, which took a lot of pressure off. n/t

[JI7]

2. haha

[billbuckhead]

3. It's a 360 degree vanity candidacy that makes people feel good about themselves

And then, unbelievably, they brag about Hillary doing better with working class folk and their candidate doing better with the more bourgeois. Who ever thought there would be Democrats like this?

[TwilightGardener]

4. He will need a warchest for the general election. He will need money, always.

It's the lifeblood of politics.

[JVS]

5. I think all those problems were actually caused by John Edwards' haircuts and palace

[NJSecularist]

9. Exactly

Let me guess, this is another grandstanding thread by an Edwards supporter.

[TwilightGardener]

13. John was apparently too holy to accept donations. Apparently, he was mailing

donors their checks back, right?

[GoldieAZ49]

42. she never asked how many kids that $400. could have fed

or how many homeless vets he has sleeping in that mansion

A real man for the underdog...except that millionaire ran his campaign on the tax payers dollar

[SammyWinstonJack]

71. ...

:eyes: Really disgusting post. :puke:

[Andrea]

114. I've noticed that a lot of people don't understand the issues

in campaign finance reform. Some have even posted these sentiments before and had it explained to them, and then posted the same thing again. so, yeah, :puke:

[ananda]

6. Perspective..

Bush is spending 40b a month on Iraq.

He's asking Congress for a blank check
to do whatever the fuck he wants.. in
the amount of 3.1 trillion.

Now, if the American people were truly
interested in parity, rationality, and
humanity.. they would have protested,
marched, and never backed down until
the mutherfukker was impeached and the
country put right.

So get off your fucking high horse and
support someone who will get us out of
this Bushit.

[Barack_America]

7. Can you give a link to the levee fund? n/t

[GoldieAZ49]

43. Edwards affiliation the mortgage co evicting New Orleans residents from their home?

[sandnsea]

8. I thought we wanted grassroots candidates

Weren't you complaining about all his money coming from corporations just last week? Now it's proven that he's always gotten most of his money from the grassroots, and that's not good enough for you either.

Your hatred of the man is beyond bizarre.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TwilightGardener]

11. You put it succinctly. You win.

[tyne]

16. That reminds me

of posts about Edwards from repubs on a board I belong to.

"Why doesn't John just give some of his money to the poor he's trying to save. Why doesn't he give the homeless $400 instead of using it for haircuts"?

[Andrea]

115. It seems like a lot of people still don't know

the truth about that haircut.

Edwards was running behind. That's par for the course in a campaign. The hair stylist had to wait and wait. He missed all his other appointments that day. Edwards made up for the income he lost by waiting on him. Sounds like he was treating the stylist fairly. It's too bad so few would treat Edwards fairly.

[pnwmom]

83. And you're mean. Why don't you give her a reasonable answer

instead of just throwing out an insult?

[FrenchieCat]

12. Let me go find a thread asking to donate money to John Edwards!

And you are in it......stating how much you are donating!

I'll be right back!

[jsamuel]

40. He took public financing and was capped.

[GoldieAZ49]

45. and they were doing it after he quit

donating to a fucking multi-millionaire :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

man I don't want to be around to hear that pop, it will be deafening (when she pulls her head out of her ass)

[monktonman]

14. If it were Hill inc. you wouldnt have said a word. n/t

[Tatiana]

15. They believe he needs the money to be competitive in all the upcoming primary states.

They know, absent true campaign finance reform, money matters.

Also, many superdelegates will be swayed by Obama's fundraising capacity. Who wouldn't want the coattails Obama could provide, along with the $$$ he could bring to other Democratic campaigns?

[stillcool]

20. sounds like the right answer to me...

but probably not at all what the OP was looking for.

[writes3000]

21. Much better and more mature than "you're an idiot." Just my take. n/t.

[saracat]

30. NO candidate needs this kind of money. Neither of them do.

What is wrong with people? I don't care WHO does this this is wrong. Thisin'st competitive this is outrageous!

[GoldieAZ49]

46. and everyone was pissed at Kerry for not spending all the money donated to win in 04

get a clue, he is going to need all that he has right now and lots more for the GE

Now if Hillary dropped out the money he has could go to the GE, but that isn't going to happen

You would rather have President McCain wouldn't you? Just cuz pretty boy John went back to the mansion.

[cali]

59. Could you be anymore disingenuous? In a word: NO.

Hill has blazed through over a hundred million. And i remember you begging for people to send their $$$ to John. You know what's really funny though? I remember, Sarah. I remember defending Hillary against your grotesque bashing and your stating repeatedly that you would NEVER vote for her even in the general electiion. Remember that thread about your mother? I do. I'm waiting for yo to say now that you'll NEVER vote for Obama. It's coming.

[shadowknows69]

77. I don't recall you chastising the Clinton campaign for this when she was flush with 100 million

Did I miss your post where you called for all candidates to give to charity until they had as little money as the least funded player?

[Andrea]

116. Thanks for contributing a rational response

The points you make about the superdelegates and the coattails make sense. I don't agree with this excessive spending in this race, but I respect you for responding rationally and offering a reasonable explanation.

[Hippo_Tron]

17. When Obama gets elected president we can start working on those problems

Public infrastructure isn't something people are supposed to donate money to. It is something that the government is supposed to build and maintain. Once we toss the Republicans out of office we can work on those problems. Sending a few bucks Obama's way is a way of addressing these things.

[totodeinhere]

18. Until we can get campaign finance reform passed, that's the way it is.

[MS Liberal]

19. You are right...this does not make sense...this is greed.

This is so republican like. I have donated twice to Hillary's campaign for a total of $110. I plan to donate another $25 when I get paid. That is all I can afford. It does not make me dumb, it makes me poor.

You Obama supporters need to stop congratulating yourself on all the money you all are raising on the net because it just re-enforces the myth that Obama's supporters are all rich and Hillary's supporter's are working class. There are more of us so do not piss us off.

[tyne]

22. I only give

$25 dollars at a time. He just has lots of willing grassrooters.

[Azathoth]

24. Ah yes, poor Hillary, the candidate for the 'working class' who started with a $100 million warchest

raised primarily from lobbyists and superdoners. :nopity:

[sandnsea]

25. 90% are under $100

40% were $25 or less. There are just more donors, that's all.

[gmudem]

31. I don't think you quite understand it

It shows that Obama has many many supporters who are making small donations. His money isn't coming from CEO's and lobbyists and the like, it's coming from a large group of people who *GASP* like him. And I'm sure there are well-off supporters of both candidates.

The OP is quite stupid as well.

[greguganus]

47. Hillary thanks you for helping her pay Mark Penn his $4 million salary. n/t

[GoldieAZ49]

49. yeah, as a single mom, I could give $50

a real rich backer huh?

you are talking out your ass cuz your head doesn't know any better. Go check the donation records.


Better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder if your an idiot, then open it and prove them right.

[alteredstate]

72. Have you considered donating to DU?

[krkaufman]

23. Until his campaign ends, he needs every dime that is sent him.

And, since he's not a Republican candidate, we can expect that our minimal contributions will help overhaul our country's charitable giving and humanitarian support, potentially reaping a much greater return than had we simply donated to one cause or another.

[calteacherguy]

26. Here's why:

:hi:

[tyne]

32. I like it.

and I suppose it's on backorder...(:

[GoldieAZ49]

51. Right! we are investing in our own future and that of our country!

[GalleryGod]

95. From One Teach to Another......WElcome to the Fight

Let's do it!

Your Man in the Faculty Lounge:hangover:, Looking for Hazelnut,
GG:smoke:

[LordJFT]

27. His presidency will do alot to stop these problems

and he does need it, it's a dead heat

[Dogmudgeon]

28. If it was Hillary, they'd be screaming bloody murder

Isn't it funny how the corrupting influence of cash in politics is now forgotten?

--p!

[tyne]

29. I don't feel

like I'm corrupting anything or anybody. FFS, it's $25....and a yard sign...and a t-shirt...and a bumper sticker.

[monktonman]

33. If it were Hill inc. she wouldnt have posted in the first place. n/t

[sidwill]

34. There is a difference.

Obama has raised the overwhelming bulk of his money from average Americans, not lobbyists, not bundlers like Norman hsu, he has had far more individual american citizens then any other campaign dig deep and donate.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

And you know it.

[GoldieAZ49]

52. Gomama needs a new pair of Hsu's

:rofl:

[Dogmudgeon]

54. 99% vs 90%

To be sure, Obama has a more grassrootsy organization. But Hillary's is pretty close. Plus, she has accounted for more of her money. (Those numbers are from http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp">OpenSecrets.org -- click on the candidate's name.)

So while Obama's campaign gets bragging rights, the constant talking point that Hillary's income is 100% business-derived is untrue. It is an example of saying and doing anything to smear an opponent, something I thought the Obama camp didn't do.

Hillary's supporters tend to be "maxed out" now because they have been contributing for over a year. Most of Obama's are new contributors, but they may max out faster if many of them are students. He is going to have to manage the transition from a financial bubble to long-term financing. How he handles this will be critical.

And the perception that Hillary will get no more supporters is ridiculous.

Bottom line to all this? Yes. Partisan talk aside, the candidates have radically different financial situations, though they will converge in the coming months. Hillary is going through a tight period, but Obama may have that experience before the the convention, too.

However, the argument for public financing includes a lot more than simply keeping businesses from dominating elections. The idea that it's okay when one's candidate is winning is hypocrisy. The ONLY time I've ever seen this dismissed is NOW. It may be a boon to your side, but it shouldn't be dismissed. Enjoy your advantage, but don't act as if it is a God-given blessing as a reward for doing battle with Satan's representative.

--p!

[dkf]

35. I don't think lobbyists contribute online much.

:evilgrin:

[Azathoth]

36. Exactly what I was thinking

:thumbsup:

[City Lights]

64. Not to worry, dude, I don't expect any favors for my $100 donation.

:hi:

[pgh_dem]

80. Aw, fudge. If you aren't getting anything for $100...then i guess for my $50, a cabinet position

is out of the question.

Dang.

I was angling for Undersecretary of Moving My Whole Family to Hawaii.

[GoldieAZ49]

37. We don't think it is a waste to elect a strong Democrat as POTUS

you can donate your money wherever you want and help in the short term, we are electing a President to solve the problems for the long term

[ShadowLiberal]

39. Politicians regularly raise + spend millions in elections, you need to in order to win

Plus Hillary is starting to become a Mitt Romney, loaning her own campaign millions of dollars, we have to keep up with that kind of infusion of cash.

[Exultant Democracy]

41. We spend over 4 times as much each year on Halloween then we ever do politics.

[saracat]

44. So many wrongs make a right? Why not throw in Christmas and Valentine's Day?

Gimme a break.

[Exultant Democracy]

48. I guess I should finish my thought, sorry. My point is that with the stroke of a pen a real leader

can make huge changes, and save more lives then even the most active doctor could in a lifetime of hard work. Our political leaders get a chance to pull on the most basic levers of our society. Considering how little we spend on politics say relative to something completely unimportant, like Halloween, this isn't a bad investment. The difference between donating to something worthwhile and donating to a candidate you believe in is like the difference between buying a stock or speculating on an option that you believe in.

[johnnydrama]

55. so basically

you want to concede all elections to the republicans?

[greguganus]

50. Why do you hate kids? n/t

[Exultant Democracy]

53. I don't hate them, I think they are delicious with gravy.

[my3boyz]

56. He needs it to fight the "machine". They thought they would

have all of this wrapped up. They thought Bill Clinton was the only person that could raise large amounts of money. Wrong! Obama needs every dime he can get to beat that hag! He still might not win but at least he has a better shot by being able to go toe to toe with her.......

[Nimrod2005]

57. dumb

[ellisonz]

60. Spare some hedge fund dough?

[JTFrog]

61. My dh donated to a candidate for the first time in his life last night.

He donated to Obama.

You should direct your wrath at the so called "news organizations" and the people who gave them so much power. The ones that control the supply and demand of cash for advertising. I'm sure you remember who that is right?

[workinclasszero]

62. buhahahahAHAHAHAHAH!

Wow, just wow! You Hillary supporters have no shame do you? Poor Queen Hillary AKA The Inevitable Next President of the United States, guess the coronation ain't workin out too well, eh?

We should all feel sorry for the Washington insider, the establishment machine pol who had a what, a 100 million dollar warchest from jump? All from washington insiders and industry lobbyists buying their way into the inevitable next President of the United States?

Excuse me while I squirt a few tears for poor little Hillary...buHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Yo if the PEOPLE backed up Hillary she wouldn't be having any money problems now, would she? I guess she needs to hit up some more lobbyists for cash and sell yet another piece of her soul in the process.

As far as the problems in this world that need fixing..thats why we are electing a man that can do something about them..OBAMA!

You know, a man that hasn't sold his soul to lobbyists for campaign cash.

You Hillary fans are really getting desperate, eh?

[mmonk]

63. The Clintons spent that corporate money vigorously

thinking they could deliver the knockout punch on the Super Tuesday primary designed to leave corporate candidates standing. It backfired. So why are these corporations sending politicians so much money when they could pay their fair share of taxes to help the common citizen in hard times?

[City Lights]

65. Your bitterness has gotten the better of you.

What a shame.

[Vinca]

66. Is this a bona fide post or a spoof?

Do you honestly think Obama should shut down the Internet site, park the jet, stop the commercials and sit on the tarmac and pray to the great god of politics that he pulls it off?

[1776Forever]

67. You call it waste - I call it hope for the future - Investment in Obama means more help for needy!

Barack is not taking money for himself - when he says "we" he means it! I feel that this is a good investment for anyone who is middle class or below and to those who haven't looked here are just some of Obama's accomplishments:

Obama Introduces Bill To Prevent Veterans Homelessness

Obama Demands Answers on Blackwater Immunity Deal

Obama Joins Senators to Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Industry-Funded Travel for Federal Regulators

And finally and not least of these:

Ethics and Lobbying Reform that he initiated!!!!

More at this link:

http://obama.senate.gov/issues/ethics_and_lobbying_refo... /

For this and for the reasoning that we need a future and not a past with old markers to be paid -

I support Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kurth]

68. Same reason people give televangelists money

The Church of Obama is never rich enough.

[Dawgs]

69. Another dumb post by a bitter Edwards supporter.

When are these going to stop?

[angie_love]

70. what a stupid post saracat.

Your favorite hobbies: telling everyone how you will only vote for edwards even though he dropped out and bashing Obama. You make no sense.

[pnwmom]

84. Why don't you answer her question reasonably instead of tossing out an insult?

I know why, because it's so much easier.

[K Gardner]

73. Oh puleeze. This is too petty and ridiculous to even respond to. Hillary IS doing the same thing,

for christ's sakes. And people are giving their $10 donations FREELY, Sara.. no one is burning them at the stake. Lighten up.

[alteredstate]

74. I give my time and money to the poor.

There's nothing wrong with donating to my candidate, too.

[geek tragedy]

75. How about all that money wasted on John Edwards's loser campaign?

That was the real scandal. $1 Million per delegate.

[smoogatz]

78. Subtext: it makes me really, really mad that people like Obama

more than they like Edwards. I'm going to hold my breath until I turn blue!

[OzarkDem]

79. Very good point

Shall we assume the same POV applies if he wins the WH?

[pnwmom]

85. Your question wasn't stupid, saracat, despite some of the nasty answers here.

What you're saying is that since he already has significantly more than HRC, then they both probably have enough and could campaign with what they have. But don't forget about the general election. We will want whoever the nominee is to have as much as possible, to make sure we win in November. Being able to raise a lot of money is something that shows a candidate will be viable in the long run.

In the past, the Dems have been hurt by the fact that the Rethug candidate almost always had a lot more money to spend. That isn't likely to be the case this time around, thank goodness.

[onenote]

89. actuually, it was very stupid

sorry, but the premise of the question was that it was wrong for Obama to accept money he didn't need (first stupid assumption) because he has enough to get through the rest of the primaries and convention (second stupid assumption), because if that money wasn't going to Obama it could be used to rebuild the nation's infrastructure and to provide health care to those who need it (third really stupid assumption).

[pnwmom]

90. I think what is very stupid is

discouraging people from asking sincere questions. Saracat probably spoke for many when she asked that question, and all the insults slapped them all in the face.

[GalleryGod]

98. Well written; Hand in your blue book: A+

It flounders and drowns in it's waves of stupidity and mawkishness. The OP confuses a Democatic Republic with a Socialist Regime.

:argh:

[pnwmom]

108. "Teachers" like you are why I finally

put my kids in private school.

[Occam Bandage]

86. It's a good thing nobody has sent Clinton money.

[IronLionZion]

87. Why give to Edwards or Kucinich? Why pay your rent or buy a car? Why go to school?

I'm very disappointed to see this from you Sara. I'll pray for you. O8)

Anyway, all those problems will be better off with a Dem in the white house. We simply have to raise and spend money to beat John McCain. As sure as the sun will rise, McCain won't help. He is the biggest opponent of infrastructure and his state is hurting for it. He calls it "pork". When the Dems put investment bills on his desk, he will veto them. Any Dem would sign it. That's why I support Obama.

[mb7588a]

88. this is the best argument there is for

public financing of all campaigns.

[GalleryGod]

93. Tried it: Doesn't work.

In 1976.

[GalleryGod]

91. Saracat: Because it is MY MONEY so please STHU.

Thank you. I've alerted on you because your OP= a "call out" of donators.

[EdwardWilbur]

96. Just because of this post, I will give $500 to barackobama.com

Thanks saracat, your Obama hatred and obvious Clinton favoritism has shown me the way.

[krabigirl]

100. keep on tithing!!

[GalleryGod]

101. That's What I'm Talkin' About !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:grouphug: Bring it! Bring it! Bring it!

Hey,Hillary? Incoming! :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[krabigirl]

97. Tell me about it.

[Thrill]

99. This Poster never stops with the dumbass post

[pnwmom]

109. What is it with all the nasty responses here?

All the superior attitudes?

All she did was ask an honest question, and a bunch of name-callers all decide to pile on.

It's beginning to look like a gang-bang. Did someone send all of you out here to try to shame this woman?

[RoadRage]

102. Who's to say that either candidate doesn't "need" the money?

I am with you - donations to charity are definitely needed.

But, this is a totally seperate donation. People are donating to Obama, because they don't want him to end up like Clinton and need the money down the road.

People are donating to Clinton because she DOES need the money. Their campaign didn't forsee needing to campaign past super Tuesday and budgeted accordingly.. and now need more money from supporters.

Both of these candidates can use the additional funds to campaign in areas that they are still unknown. Obama is coming to Omaha, NE today - and will meet with thousands who do not yet know his message.

[HeraldSquare212]

105. Because we believe Obama will better address the issues you list above.

We could never match the billions of dollars available in the federal budget, but we can help direct more of those dollars to the issues you mention by ensuring that Obama is elected.

[pnwmom]

110. That is a good answer, heraldsqure. Far more effective than name-calling. n/t

[Ronnie]

111. Wow!

Some of these posts are really mean-spirited. The reason why I don’t visit here often.
But while I’m here…
1. One of the reasons Sen. Obama is raising more money is he’s getting the lion’s share of what we used to call the Yuppie vote. These people can spare the money. But let’s give them the benefit of the doubt; maybe they did donate a lot of money to Katrina victims as well.
2. OTOH, Sen. Clinton’s supporters in the main are lower middle class women, blue collar workers, farm workers, seniors on fixed incomes, teachers, Hispanics, Asian-Americans… These people generally do not have a lot of disposable income. I know because I fall into three of those categories.
3. I can’t understand why Mr. Edwards doesn't support Sen. Clinton. They have the same kind of supporters.
4. When I asked my son (early forties) why he and his wife (mid thirties) were voting for Sen. Clinton, he said, "She's tough. She's smart. And we don't think she'll take any crap. She reminds us of you." Ha! Identity politics.

[cottonseed]

112. Most people think Hillary is a problem this country needs to deal with right now.

That probably explains moving national resources towards Obama.

[pnwmom]

113. Most people? n/t