Obama-DNC Fundraising Deal - Is this for real and what does it mean?

[HopeforChange]

http://thepage.time.com/

After a series of discussions, the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee have decided to file papers with the Federal Election Commission establishing a “joint fundraising agreement.” Under the law, such a committee can accept up to $28,500 from individuals, most of which would go to the DNC.

Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has already formed such an alliance with the Republican National Committee. Their group — called Victory — was created in March after McCain clinched the GOP nomination and is headed by McCain adviser Carly Fiorina.

Sources say the DNC has also held talks with Hillary Clinton’s campaign about forming a separate vehicle with her, but that no deal has been struck.

The fact that the Obama campaign is moving forward and Clinton is not at this time reflects certain important realities: Obama’s team is more confident that he will win the nomination than is Clinton’s — and Obama’s campaign has the necessity and luxury of thinking about and planning for the general election to come.

As part of that preparation, the campaign is thinking about how to divide up roles and responsibilities between the campaign’s Chicago headquarters and the DNC in Washington.

The DNC has stood out during this election cycle as the one major party entity that has not been raising money like gangbusters, and officials in both camps hope the joint agreement can allow the DNC to tap into Obama’s extraordinary leverage and popularity with donors, particularly after he secures the nomination — assuming he does.

The committee formed under the agreement is still in search of a final name.

[DinahMoeHum]

1. If Howard Dean is for this arrangement, then so am I.

:kick::kick::kick:

[thoughtcrime1984]

2. It means the DNC needs money badly, Obama is a great vehicle to

help raise what they need. Also, I think it signifies that Obama is the presumptive nominee in Howard Dean's eyes.

[Coexist]

3. I think the DNC finally realized

that Clinton wasn't interested in a joint venture and just decided to go with the winner.

[WHAT]

4. This is what I wondered about...

when the campaign money was being discussed. I thought that if campaign money raised by Obama could be used to promote democratic candidates across the country, then delegates would support Obama because it would strengthen their position country-wide.

Well, I guess this is how they do it and I'm glad to see it. More democrats elected will strengthen the Obama Presidency meaning it will be easier to initiate more transparency, accountability, honesty...

[madfloridian]

5. McCain has the same arrangement with the RNC

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1970

Remember the meeting where Clinton big donors yelled at Dean, and he stood his ground?

It is all about FL and MI.

Hillary cares about Hillary. Obama cares about the party and the country.

[JTFrog]

6. Excellent. n/t

[madfloridian]

7. It's good because Florida people and Hillary big donors have tried to crash DNC fundraising.

Here is more from TPM

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/obama_campaign_confirms_joint.php

"The move is unusual in the sense that it's typically the sort of thing that's done once there is a nominee.

That the DNC has done this with Obama before the contest is settled reflects two realities: First, that Obama is the likely the nominee; and second, that McCain is forging ahead with the building of a campaign apparatus while the two Dems continue to pour resources into an intra-Dem contest with no immediate end in sight.

"This is an effort to be a team player and make sure we have the resources we need," Burton says."