Obama Raises $150 Million in September: "Thank You, Sarah Palin!"

I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank Sarah Palin for single-handedly contributing $70-80 million to Barack Obama's campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America during the month of September. That is my estimate of how much of the $150 million raised by Barack Obama's campaign in September can be directly attributed to Sarah Palin. For clarity, my estimate is based entirely on anecdotal evidence.

The announcement of Governor Palin as John McCain's running mate was revealed on August 29th. On September 3rd, she delivered her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. During the next two weeks, Palin's popularity soared, Obama's poll numbers declined severely, and Democrats across the country literally freaked out. And when they freaked out, they opened their wallets like never before in American political history. Palin's announcement also galvanized Democrats nationwide to take action -- volunteer participation increased dramatically as once-apathetic Democrats transformed themselves into activists and joined other Democrats already actively engaged with the Obama campaign. In mid-September, the dynamic of the Presidential race shifted again as a result of the financial crisis. But Sarah Palin's spark continues to ignite Democrats to both action and financial contribution.

On behalf of all Obama supporters, I say "Thank you Sarah Palin!" Thank you for your generous contribution to the Obama campaign. Thank you for allowing the campaign to play ball in states like West Virginia, North Dakota, Georgia and in all of the battleground states it's been in for months. I thought the maximum contribution to the Obama Victory Fund was $28,500. I'm not sure how you managed to contribute roughly $70-80 million but we sure do 'preciate it! Darn tootin' and you betcha!

Follow Ben Arnon on Twitter: www.twitter.com/barnon

Comments

[Akoyo]

Hilarious....and so true.
I'm sure McCain now wishes he picked say, a Mitt Romney, but he was short sighted. All his team could think about was poaching disgruntled Hillary supporters (who know better) and sucking the air out of the DNC convention by making a controversial pick.

I said it from the outset, Palin was the gift that would keep on giving, and give she has...to the tune of $70-$80 million!

[elained]

I do have to admit, although I had already donated to the Obama campaign, I donated significantly more than I had done the day after Palin's speech - following David Plouffe's 4am call to the troops!

I was scared. Really scared. Her speech was brilliant, and I must admit I thought 'heck - why didn't Barack pick Hillary as veep? We are so toast!'

As the days went by though, she gradually became the 'gift that keeps on giving'. Now I'm like 'sheesh! what was I so worried about?'

Thanks, John - you did a great job! The conservatives are deserting you in droves because of your pick - way to go!

[LouisN]

LOL! Funny, Elained! "The gift that keeps on giving." LOL! You're right, though.

[SandraL]

Money is very tight right now, but instead of going to a movie or ordering take out, every time sarah palin said something, i donated. 5 dollars, 10 dollars. and yes i think i will have to donate to Minnesota democrat Elywn Tinklenberg. Thank you very much sarah for taking Dan Quayle's advice and just being yourself.

[Vige]

Can we also give a Big Thank You to John McCain for selecting Sarah Palin.

[dschwarz]

Not only has Palin delivered $$$ for Obama, she's also going to deliver the Jewish vote in Florida and elsewhere. My relatives who were on the fence have decided to vote for Obama 9-1 after the Palin pick. The prospect of a Palin presidency terrifies us (and with good reason).

[Sabella1]

when McCain picked Sarah, I doubled my contribution to Obama
thank you, Sarah

[BLinCincinnati]

WIthin a few days of her speech at the RNC I managed to raise over $2000 for Obama. People like myself who had previously, and some currently, liked McCain.... were completely turned off by his pick of Palin.

[Artfullyaware]

Not to mention the $1M+ that kind people have donated to Planned Parenthood in Ms. Palin's name. Bless her...

[TheloniousThinks]

I gave to Obama, five minutes after I saw the Charlie Gibson interview. Super Model, sure. Mother of the Year, whatever. President of the USA? Lord help us.

[sociocanuck]

I couldn't donate to Obama... I just donated a bunch to the New Democratic party (not as opposed to the Old Democratic Party, honest) here in Canada during our run-up to the federal election. I like to think I did my part in helping them gain a few more seats in Parliament as of last Tuesday, though obviously I was hoping for tons more.

[gvc]

Unfortunately the NDP have made the tactical decision to prop up the conservative government. Their lack of support for the "green shift" was unconscionable.

My grandparents were founding members of the CCF and I supported the NDP for many years. They played an instrumental and constructive role in bringing about positive change in the sixties. No more.

[sociocanuck]

I respectfully disagree. It was a Liberal Party line that the NDP have supported the Conservatives, especially with respect to environmental issues; when it's, instead, clear from the last few years that the NDP was keeping the Conservatives from going completely off the rails on environmental policy - though admittedly at the time with the aid of the other parties.

This should be demonstration that the best way to deal with Conservatives is not to divide, but rather to unite and conquer. I garuantee if the three opposition parties agreed to compromise and work together in the next government the Cons increase in seats would be rendered irrelevant.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Would you also thank Michele Bachmann for the $500,000+ that was contributed to Elwyn Tinkleberg's campaign in the last 48 hours, please.

[wandering girl]

yes, indeed. I myself donated an additional $100 to the Obama campaign within 30 minutes of her acceptance speech.

[bjupton]

Sara Palin also freaked out this moderate/libertarian, who had almost always previously voting Republican.

Her nomination made it very clear that there's not a whole lot of room in the party for the thinking man. Add to this her vile rhetoric, and I guarantee that some of those donations came from those who were somewhat indifferent to the choices at hand and sent them screaming for Obama.

Also, add in the fact that McCain's economic plan will have a much larger tax impact, which really started to sink in in Aug/Sept.

I'm know I'm not the only one thinks this way. When this election is rehashed, will we be talking about "Obama Republicans" much the way that we talked about "Reagan Democrats" a generation ago?

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Obamacans - I do believe the term was coined when the first group of staunch Republicans, fronted by Eisenhower's granddaughter, came out for Sen. Obama.

God bless her lucid heart!

[sticksnstones]

The extent of the contributions by our family to the Obama 2008 campaign has always been motivated by his rhetoric of change for how the game of politics should be played on a national level. We deeply believe in Sen. Obamas message. The people selected to represent the Republican party has made no difference to our level of commitment. This steadfastness in the electorate is Sen. Obamas real strength. And it will gain him the presidency.

[allonfla]

yes, i was thinking that. i heard someone say that whenever obama gets attacked, his supporters send him money. happened during the primaries too.

[cbat]

Yes, Thank you Sarah. Good love her, but she is an idiot.