Illinois Dems - Does Obama need my $

[4_Legs_Good]

How well is his campaign financed? I'm in California, but I really like this guy, and I wanna see him go far.

I couldn't give much, but maybe I could divert some of my Kerry stash...

david

[JHBowden]

1. Yes.

Obama's opponent, JACK ryan, is very wealthy. Obama currently does have a 16 point lead, but it is uncertain how long that will hold when the weird negative last name recognition Mr. Ryan has wears off.

[hedda_foil]

2. Absolutely!

Watch for Repuke $$$ to start flooding into Ryan's warchest in addition to his own megabucks. Barack is amazing ... very progressive, honest, brilliant, practical, and a really nice guy to boot.

[wndycty]

3. Yes

:kick:

[FighttheFuture]

4. Obama (D) stalked by Ryan (R) campaign worker....

May 21, 2004 -- 12:40 PM EDT // link <http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_05_16.php>

Politics is certainly a rough business. And it's common, and understandable, that candidates will often send staffers to videotape or record their opponents' speeches.

But we seem to have an embarrassing new low in the Illinois senate race -- one that might even amount to stalking.

Barack Obama <http://www.obamaforillinois.com/> is the Democratic candidate for the open seat and his opponent is Republican Jack Ryan <http://www.jackryan2004.com/>.

For the last ten days, according to the Chicago Sun-Times <http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen21.html>, Ryan has had a campaign staffer, Justin Warfel, follow Obama with a video camera all day.

And I mean, all day.

Not only does he record Obama's public appearances, he tails Obama in his car; he follows him into restrooms; he stays a couple feet behind him when he's walking in public; he waits outside his office and pesters his secretary. And he heckles Obama at public appearances.

The Chicago Sun-Times asked Ryan's campaign manager if this was appropriate ...

But Jason Miller, Ryan's campaign manager, insisted Obama's public movements are fair game and the point is to make sure Obama doesn't contradict himself with his public statements.

"If he's having a phone conversation, then Justin is not trying to tap into the conversation or record what he is saying or something like that," Miller said. "He's monitoring because you never know when ... a reporter comes up and starts asking questions."
The State's Republican Senate Minority Leader disagreed. "I don't care if you're in public life or who you are," Frank Watson (R-Greenville) told the Sun-Times. "You deserve your space, your privacy. I don't think it's appropriate."

If you'd like to register your opinion here's Obama's website <http://www.obamaforillinois.com/> and here's Ryan's <http://www.jackryan2004.com/>.

-- Josh Marshall

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Did you see that camera man on the news last night?

He was a real jerk! They showed him snapping pictures of Obama. He told the reporter that if they had a complaint to "contact the Ryan campaign, that's who hired me to do this." Obama needs to hire a camera man to stalk Ryan. Repukes are pathetic creatures!

[wndycty]

6. HEre is video of the video guy.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/video/0521as6p.html

[Padraig18]

7. Yes, he does.

His opponent is VERY wealthy, and Obama will need every $ he can lay his hands on to ensure a win in November. :hi:

[Radical Activist]

8. Obama is worth the money!

He spoke out early against the war in Iraq and has a great progressive voting record. How wonderful will it be for Barak Obama to reclaim the last Senate seat held by an African-American.

If I had to name one black person in America that I thought could be elected on a national ticket someday it would be Barak Obama.

[fujiyama]

9. He'll make a fine nominee in '12