Obama Making Private Calls Appealing To Hillary's Top Fundraisers -- And Sometimes Hearing Criticism In Return
Barack Obama has begun privately calling Hillary's top fundraisers and making personal appeals for their support, and in some cases is getting some criticism in return, suggesting that the delicate task of uniting the fractured Democratic fundraising establishment is still incomplete.
Obama's calls to the donors, which were described to me by multiple sources directly familiar with them, come at a very sensitive moment, with negotiations between the two campaigns continuing. Tomorrow Hillary and Obama are set to meet with all these money people together -- a high-stakes event that both camps are hoping will go well.
"Obama has been calling Hillary's top money people and asking for their support, but the fundraisers are in some cases being critical of Obama's operation," said a senior Hillary person who works directly with her top donors on a regular basis.
According to sources, the Hillary fundraisers' criticism of Obama on these calls has focused partly -- but not exclusively -- on a demand that Obama do more to retire Hillary's campaign debt. This perhaps explains why Obama went out of his way yesterday on a call with his own donors to ask them to help her out.
But these criticisms from the donors suggests that bitterness may remain until Obama's efforts show actual results on her behalf.
Venture capitalist Alan Patricof, one of Hillary's top fundraisers and one of the more sought after money-people in the Democratic Party, declined to comment on personal discussions with Obama. "All of Hillary's supporters want to be helpful to Senator Obama and assure his election," Patricof told me. But he stressed that Hillary's debt problem remained unsolved.
"We are also appropriately concerned with the need for his direct support to help retire part of her debt," he said. "He is mindful of this matter and I am very hopeful that he will be helpful."
But Hillary's debt isn't the only concern.
The senior Hillary source also said that in addition to the campaign's debt, the Hillary donors wanted clear signs that they were being heard. "People want this to work," this source said, "but they also want to have their say before they play nice."
According to sources, Hillary's finance chair, businessman Hassan Nemazee, also received a personal call from Obama. But he declined to comment or discuss any aspect of the call, saying he wouldn't talk about personal conversations.
Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton declined comment on the calls, saying he doesn't discuss private conversations. But the Obama campaign has publicly discussed Obama's private calls to his own donors asking them to give to Hillary, suggesting that the Obama camp wants to broadcast the message that they realize the depth of the problem and are serious about helping her out.
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