Obama Aides Ecstatic Over $52 Million Haul

There is a sense of elation in the Obama campaign as it was announced that their candidate raised $52 million in June. It's a massive haul for the presumptive Democratic nominee -- $3 million short of the historic mark he hit earlier in the cycle but much larger than the $22 million that John McCain brought in this past month.

The majority of donations, Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe wrote in an email to supporters, were of the small variety, with the average amount being $68.

An aide to the Senator was ecstatic when asked about the June numbers and said of an earlier Wall Street Journal report that Obama had raised "only" around $30 million: the paper is "embarrassed."

Greg Sargent at Talking Points Memo noted that the June haul puts Obama on track to achieve his goal of raising $300 million during the entirety of the general election - a total needed to match the likely loot of McCain and the RNC. And yet, Obama and his allies at the DNC still lag behind their counterparts. The Democrat has $72 million on hand, compared to the roughly $100 million brought in by the GOP.

"We remain at a massive disadvantage to our opponents," Plouffe wrote in an email before asking for additional $25 donations. "As I mentioned in my video message earlier in the week, the McCain Campaign and the Republican National Committee finished June with nearly $100 million in the bank.

We can't stop now. It's going to take everything we've got to defeat John McCain and his allies in November."

UPDATE: The DNC follows suit and releases its fundraising figures. They're not quite Obama-esque, but they are fairly impressive for an organization that has been criticized over its lack of cash. Overall, in June, the DNC brought in more than $22 million and has more than $20 million on hand.

This means that, combined, Obama and the DNC have $92 million to spend at this point in time -- $3 million less than GOP.

Comments

[GayGrandpa]

WE THE PEOPLE..."­have a dream"...a­nd we finance that dream until it comes to fruition. YES WE CAN!

[Beninn]

What is your "dream"? O says small donors financing his campaign means that he can say "no" to big donors when they want some special favor. What do you think O owes you, as a small donor?

[ThunderclapNewman]

He owes small donors---and large donors, too---good government that works to benefit all the people and supports the Constitution.

And that's all he owes.

[reggieb]

transparency in government, pay as you go, speak to us as if we are adults, restore our good standing in the world, pay down the national debt so that our children and grandchildren don't have to. also, no one talks about it but we have around 900 military bases around the world. How much is that costing us and do we really need to be an imperialist nation?

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

GG didn't say 0bama "owes" him anything.

[gladys46]

A chance to grow! Live & grow without the threats of generationally inspired terrorists! Grow and not die in illegal wars of aggression! Grow with the knowledge that Mc won't be studing war no more ... NOT IN OUR NAMES!

Everything needs a little dirt, rain and sun to grow ... even "small" donors!!

[walk0nwalls]

Start being my party again and then we'll talk.

[ThunderclapNewman]

It's not about you.

[SweetSydney]

Sure it is.

You'll be reminded of this the first week in November.

[Actionmac]

your party? you want to talk about that first...

[writerforhire]

So how much did Caroline loan the Obama campaign? Or did she just find another pool of cash to donate under assumed names on the internet until 100,000 or more campaign contributions all came from the kennedy pool of cash. Every one loves a winner! Hail, Obama next King of the Hill!

[ThunderclapNewman]

Donations are public and you can look them up.
O has taken no loans from anyone.

[Superbus]

Not on the books, it seems. A little off balance sheet financing?

[VolvoBirkenstock]

No wonder you are unemployed and "for hire."

As a writer, you suk.

[Superbus]

Spellcheck not working Yugo?

[ExRepublican]

We LOVE Obama

Sincerely,

Goldman Sachs

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

I can see why you are a writer who needs a work.

[Actionmac]

jealous

[ElliotNC]

Sweet Jesus

[oneeyedodin]

he ain'ta gonna help youse.

[vonny]

John McCain: United States Navy
Position: Captain, Squadron Commander, Pilot
Time Period: 1958 - 1981
Description: Naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Employer: United States Congress
Position: Senator
Time Period: 1986 - Present
Description: Elected to the United States Senate to take the place of Arizona’s great Senator Barry Goldwater. Senator McCain is currently the senior senator from Arizona.

Employer: United States Congress
Position: U.S. Representative
Time Period: 1982 - 1986
Description: Elected to Congress representing what was then the first congressional district of Arizon



Barack Hussain Obama:

Gave a speech against the war that nobody can find

[StillIRise]

John McCain: Loses the 2008 presidential election

Barack Obama: President-Elect.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

You now have TWO choices for president:

The first one has one of the longest lines of political experience in history. He is exceedingly popular in congress. He was a soldier who volunteered to defend the United States in the Navy.

The second one has no real political experience outside of Illinois. He is tall and lanky with big ears. He even lost a few of his first attempts at gaining political office. He is an excellent speechwriter and orator. He is a good attorney and has a successful law practice.

So which one would you choose?

This is a trick question because both were already Presidents of the United States. The first one is the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan. He is the President who mired us in the Civil War by declaring the action illegal but doing nothing when the south decided to secede from the Union. He is largely considered by historians as being the worst President in American history.

He was followed by the other man who became the 16th President of the United States: Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is credited with the end of slavery, the end of the Civil War, and unification of the nation. He became president at a dark time when our country was deeply divided over very polarizing issues. He had no experience in Washington prior to his Presidency. He is widely considered by historians as one of the best Presidents in American History.

Sound familiar?

~Author Unknown

[SweetSydney]

Do you c & p this on every thread Blanche?

[Mogamboguru]

Obama's second name spells "Hussein", troll.

[SweetSydney]

You forgot "community organizer", whatever that means.

Sounds like something Jes-sie or Rev. Al would put on their resumes.

[ThunderclapNewman]

You are a bitter and hate-filled R*A*C*I*S*T.

[ThunderclapNewman]

You seem remarkably proud of being ignorant of the facts.

Why is that?

[EggsBolinski]

Link the video of the speech.

[Actionmac]

just S T U P I D maybe... isn't that clonkton's speech regarding her's and mcsads experience?

[reasoniskey]

Correction:
The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee ended June with a combined total of $92.3 million in the bank. Obama reported $72 million cash on hand (correction to e-mail sent out by Plouffe) and the DNC $20.3 million.

[gladys46]

Calling all YOUNG PEOPLE .... they say you won't come out to vote!!! PLEASE PROVE THEM WRONG THIS TIME! Please! Giving $$$ is great ... after that, we've got to get the votes enmasse!

[Mogamboguru]

Ask Obama ro revoke his support for pro-arms-l­egislation and the death-penalty, and we have a deal. Otherwise: Skip it.

[Daly]

well said - I approve this message.

[Actionmac]

The MSM LIED about young people coming out... they don't say that the young DID come out but in many ways were turned away at the polls, broken machines, long lines, not enough machines, challenged with returned sample ballots to colleges, not included on the roll, given provisional ballots that were NEVER counted. All those tricks were used and the plan is to use them AGAIN. DON'T be FOOLED have ID and check on your registration ONCE A MONTH up to election day.

NOT THIS TIME!

[wanttruth]

I happy for the Obama campaign. Keep up the good work! I'm a proud small donor to his campaign!!!

[robbep]

I cant believe that the Wall Street Journal was so far off!!!!

[DwH]

It's now owned by Rupert Murdoch and will attempt to destroy any sense of inevitability for an Obama presidency. Do not expect the truth about Obama from any of Murdoch's outlets.

[ThunderclapNewman]

The WSJ has been remarkably fair and accurate in its news reporting about O'Bama.

The editorial pages are off in right-wing la-la land, but the news side is solid.

[Actionmac]

and don't expect the complete truth from any MSM TV or print.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44831000/jpg/_44831351_cartoon_ap226b.jpg

[orwellwashere]

This is my response to their fundraising email, sent to the Obama campaign this morning:

I have some grave concerns at this point. Obama seems to be selling out rather quickly, and his whole “change” rhetoric is starting to look rather hollow. First, we're on the verge of war with Iran and the banking system is collapsing. Instead of showing the leadership we need on these issues, for example, Obama lectures the NAACP on how to raise their children.

Also, what about his foreign policy advisors he's chosen? I found this piece this morning from Michael Jackman:
... former Indiana Congressman and Democrat, Tim Roemer. He was a member of the 9/11 Commission, and a representative of the war-profiteering weapons makers Boeing and Lockheed Martin. While in office, Roemer voted for the Iraq War and said this: “The threat from Saddam is grave and growing and it’s something we’re going to have to address in the not-too-distant future.” That statement mirrors the rhetoric of Bush and Cheney exactly.

Also onboard is Washington insider and notorious cover-up artist Lee Hamilton..­.. a Democrat, has been called upon several times to bail Republicans out of huge scandals. Accordng to NY Times reporter, Phil Shenon, the White House’s “best support on the [9-11] Commission came from an unexpected corner, from Lee Hamilton.” Maybe this is because Hamilton is old pals with Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and David Addington.

Are our concerns not justified?

[ThunderclapNewman]

Your concerns are totally unjustified.

Like any smart person, O'Bama is interested in hearing from a broad spectrum of people with a broad spectrum of ideas.

That's how good policy is formulated.

It is impossible to make the right choices if only one side is being listened to---witness the last seven and a half years.

Grow up and realize that ideological purity is a bad idea.
Politics is the art of the possible, and requires horse-trading, deal-making, compromise, and concession.

[Mogamboguru]

You are perfectly right on these points. There are thresholds which are not to be crossed - even for a Democratic candidate who claims to unite America.

Unification does not and cannot mean, to get everybody on board who is not in the trees at "Three". There are people who are deliberately to be left out of the boat by all means - because, otherwise, they will sink it.

He, who tries to please everyone, will please no one in the end.

[NorVaGal]

Orwell, your 'concern" about Obama truly amazes me. McCain is the ultimate Washington insider, and his Bush 3 presidency will incorporate every neocon from the Bush I and ll dynasty still living and wheezing.

McCain's version of "change" has given him and the entire country whiplash. IMO, your concerns are justified only if you are a republican troll. Otherwise, I think you can rest easy.

[LiberTLover]

I am sure that McSimpleton shares every one of your concerns and will be using all of the money he gets now being donated to the RNC from the oil industry, the defense contractors and the uber wealthy to defeat BO, and will then immediately address your every concern as soon as he becomes President. Geez, no wonder the Repubs are laughing all the way to the bank!

[SwingingFromCenter]

I'm not donating any more until I see who his VP pick is. Though it's unlikely, there's still a chance it'll be Hillary. If it is, I'm staying home this year...and I sure as heck ain't gonna donate any more money to the campaign. If not...well­, he'll probably see more of my money.

[dentuso]

It can't be Hil lary. Bil cannot pass the vetting process, period. No one's so idiotic as to take what is a sure victory, and introduce a guaranteed rival energizer. It will be a safe choice with foreign policy exp.

McBoooosh will then pick Cankly Fierocranky as his pick, hoping the five remaining Hil supporters just rush over to him and overturn Roe v. Wade.

[Heidfeld]

Sure victory? Only if Hillary is at the top of the ticket. Have you seen the polls lately? Every day more and more people are seeing through the sham that Obama is.

But keep on thinking that way... just dont forget, puff, puff, give..

[Daly]

emotions? Staying home is not an option. Spend your $ as you will but staying home in the face of a draft, ban on contraceptive, FISA was a pisser but the slim chance of change is taken off the table by staying home.

2000 & 2004 too many stayed home empowering unsofisticated fools and they selected. using the divining rod of faith, Gays and abortion to take us on an 8 year mad hatter ride.

No! staying home is not an option.

[StillIRise]

Your comments have a familiar ring to them. In fact, you sound a lot like some of Hillary's former supporters who've threatened to stay home this year if Senator Obama does NOT select Hillary Clinton as his VP choice. I've questioned their reasoning as Democrats, and now I question your's. What you're saying is no different, no better and certainly no more reasonable than what they've said. I guess it's just the flip side of the same stupid coin!

[SwingingFromCenter]

But I'm not a Democrat..­..

[Actionmac]

write the check IT AINT GONNA BE HER... if she was/is as popular as the MSM and the few hundred supporters of hers want the world to believe, HER BILLS WOULD BE PAID!

Her people keep balking about O and wanting her. Threatening convention war, but they CAN NOT raise the funds to pay her bills or are not trying. Either case she would be a BIG DRAG on his campaign. RNC and mcsad are using her material about O, to the same effect, but with her it would be a CONSTANT explaining why her when she said.

[truthskr]

Suit yourself - I'll be happy to donate for you.

Also, while I would of course vote for an Obama/HRC ticket, I still feel obligated to disabuse you of any notion that "there's still a chance it'll be Hillary." There is no chance, so save yourself the anguish and make up your mind now whether or not you want to be part of the process that elects our next POTUS. Something tells me that anyone engaged enough in the process to engage in this discussion, such as yourself and other HRC hold outs, have a political ego that would not allow them to be excluded. So, see you at the polls!

[ProgressiveThought]

Fired Up!

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

And ready to go!

[gladys46]

Fired Up!!

[LCLiberal]

So Hillary's bitter donor base isn''t that powerful after all. Don't tell them, though.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

[truthskr]

So true. Obama's fundraising metrics renders their numbers (both in number of people as well as the fundraising dollars they are able to generate) insignificant. Why beg for relative pennies from a mere handful of people who treat you like an enemy when you can simply ask millions of sympathetic friends, such as his supporters, for wads of cash? These people clearly are not very bright, having very ill-advisably b**ched and manipulated their way out of any place at the table. They could have jockeyed much more effectively for Clinton as allies.

[poropo]

COME ON GUYS WHAT IS GOING ON STOP COMMENTING AND GO TO www.barackobama.com and make some donation cos i given my......

[EggsBolinski]

Do you mind if some of us go there for a laugh.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Stay here---we'll laugh at you.

[WLA]

No need with comedians like you here.

[Actionmac]

no, we have a laugh daily... leave a couple dollars while your there. Then you can go to mcsads site and get a nap.

[EggsBolinski]

Maybe Obama should use some of that money to hire Rudy for advice on how to stop the crime wave in Chicago. You know, that city that Obama represented and did so much good for.

[WLA]

Yeah, perhaps Rudy could introduce him to his mob pals.

[protagonia]

Rudy can play dress-up and prance around for him in his ball gown?