Reid Asks For Cash; Obama Says No

Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made a personal appeal to Barack Obama: Help me grow the Democrats' Senate majority by sharing some of the $77 million you've got in the bank.

Obama's campaign said no.

Although Democratic insiders say a better deal could still come, the Obama campaign so far has agreed only to let Senate Democrats use Obama's name -- as well as those of his wife and running mate -- in mail and online fundraising pitches. The campaign has planned no joint fundraising events with House or Senate Democrats, and insiders say none is likely to be held before Election Day.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[research]

Obama is correct. I won't give money to Rahm Emanual to select fake dems. I will select the Dems I believe in and contribute directly as Obama my do.

[DamageControl]

Reid should know better than to ask something as stupid as this. If this report is true it speaks volumes of his ability to effectively govern. The DNC is supposed to be helping not only dems running for spots in congress but the top dem running for the presidency. Reid there's only so much time left for you to get a clue

[XME]

While I can understand that other Dems want help from the one who's able to pull in some serious money, he's in the middle of his OWN fight. Asking for his help is akin to getting into the ring while Obama is in the middle of boxing with McCain and asking him to give you one of his gloves. It would give McCain an advantage, and this fight is too close for Obama to be willing to fight with "one arm tied behind him".

[honeydiva]

why would he release this mess now? it's obvious that it's friction between reid and 0. has reid been out their campaigning for 0. hmmm...i also think there's friction with his # 1 fan (pelosi) & reid. so you know where 0's loyality is. anyway he seems to like the house members better than most of the senate. I guess the old boxer had better hustle for his tacky self. lol

[buckbuck11]

Had Reid shown that he had any backbone and leadership at all, I'm sure there would me more support for his request. But his lame "we don't have the votes" whining does not merit any support at all. When the Senate gets stronger majorities, it will be O-man's down ticket strength that will win the day, and not any of Harry's lame record.

[quadman]

This is the BHO show. No help to HRC to pay off her debt. No help to Reid and the party to help in the Senate races. BHO is the one-man show. Hasn't this become obvious yet?

[buckbuck11]

Actually, he HAS helped HRC pay off her debt. Of course, you wouldn't want facts to get in the way of your outrage.

Grow up.

[quadman]

LOL! Now I am outraged!

You can't seem to see the nose on your face!

Somebody else needs to grow up me thinks!

[fistbump]

Unfortunately, because of the huge cash advantage by the RNC over the DNC, Obama has his hands full and not enough cash.

The fault lay with us. We should be giving more to the DNC along with giving to Obama.

I heard over the weekend that Obama has been forced to build a ground game from scratch because some of the existing state structures are still loyal to the Clintons. Whether this is true or not, Obama needs the money. And people who are giving to him want the money to go to him. Otherwise, they would've given to the DNC.

[PKSSK]

I agree with Obama, all his campaign funds are needed to get him elected. Ironically, the individuals asking for the funds are the ones who either endorsed Clinton or chose not to endorse, therefore prolonging the primary election and jeopardizing the time necessary to fundraise for the general.

[wm1066]

Wasn't Jimmy Carter's son Jack trying to gain a seat in Congress from Nevada? And didn't Reid snub him and wouldn't campaign with him ,ensuring a defeat for Jack?
What goes around comes around!
The best way for any Democrat is to campaign for Obama, not ask him for money.

[rightbackatyou]

For all those "beggars," I donated to BARACK OBAMA, not to others I know absolutely know nothing about. Plus, at the end of his campaign, I'm sure he wants to be "debt-free" just like the country should be. He must run his campaign like he would run the country, if he just handed over the money, it will be just like "pork barrel" and I'm sure he doesn't want to give the impression that he's will have a welfare state. What this article also failed to mention was "what are the conditions, will there be fair distribution?" or is it just "give me some money because you raised so much?"

UNITY

[larry278]

Sen Obama may also be giving Reid the message that Reid won't continue as majority leader of the Democrats in the 111th Congress. Reid can't be called a leader since he has established a record of letting W walk over him in the 110th Congress. Supine Senators aren't leaders. The Wall St melt down assures the defeat of Republicans in the US House & Senate. Reid is, as usual, is late in asserting the needs he sees. The man can't get his agenda in order at any time.

[fistbump]

Reid is actually pretty popular among the Senate Dems. I don't think that's the reason, though who knows?

[drkazmd65]

I say - Hillary or Dodd as Majority Leader,... maybe Russ Feingold.

Kucinich, Wexler, or one of the other hard-core Constitution Lovers as Speaker - Dennis' speach at the Convention Brought the House Down!

[dayala]

get rid of Pelosi too.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Obama was more than willing to donate George Soros' money to the down ballot candidates in 2006 when he was buying superdelegates. Now that he bought the Democratic nomination, with the aid of the DNC, he can throw them under the bus with all the others. He doesn't want to be President, he wants to be KING of the United States and Obamabots are helping him with their parent-furnished lunch money and trust-fund allowances. Oh Yeah, I must not forget those who give him their Social Security checks instead of giving money to T.V. Evangalical Preachers so Obama can save them instead of Jesus.
Awakenedcitizen, pull that belt really tight because you are throwing good money after bad.

[hugs4u]

If Reid would of had backbone and balls this past year, he would be buried in money from democrats wanting to help. but he kept kissing up to bush. He should of gotten the troops home and he never. So let Harry hang out in the wind

[foreffectivegovernment]

hugs4u: It's "would have and should have" NOT "would of and should of". Not an Ivy League graduate, are you?

[DamageControl]

You say that like O is the only presidential nominee to go to an ivy league school. Can you even name a president who hasn't? But i digress, you of course are right it's much better in these perilous times to entrust ourselves to someone who graduated 5th from the bottom of their class and a person who went to 6 different school in 6 years to get a B.A. in journalism.

[tinsldr2]

What more can you expect from Sen Obama. First he agrees to abide by the bi-partisan McCain Feingold plan then when he sees he can get more money he grabs all he can and keeps it for himself. First he throws Sen Clinton under a bus and now he throws Harry under the bus.

This from a guy that is supposed to be different but is attending a $28,500 a plate dinner tonight while e don't have health care and we have a huge problem with the poor in this country!

Is this really who we should be all excited about as President?

[e-mail]

[fistbump]

Your arguments are rather lame. Are you gonna complain about McCain's big money fundraisers?

[vippy]

Look at the alternative, there is none!
I am glad, my money goes to Obama and not to Reid!

[dayala]

get off your worhtless butt Harry and go out and fundraise yourself.

[Whinger]

Don't think so Harry, you and a few others need to get up off your butt and earn it.