Obama Raises Over $150 Million In September
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe emails supporters this morning with the news that Obama has raised an extraordinary sum in September: Over $150 million.
The Obama camp added 632,000 new donors, bringing the campaign's total number of donors to over three million people. Also extraordinary: The average donation for the month was less than $100.
The key here is that September was when the contours of the current context first became truly visible: The GOP convention took place at the start of the month, and hockey mom/pitbull with lipstick Sarah Palin was first introduced to America as John McCain's choice for backup commander in chief.
What's more, as the month unfolded, it became clearer and clearer that McCain had made a strategic decision to wage a campaign dominated by slimy attacks, vile adver-sleazements, and cosmic levels of mendacity. And Obama's donor base responded in kind, as did more than half a million newcomers.
Late Update: Plouffe's video announcing the decision to supporters is here.
And the Colin Powell endorsement!
There's an appropriate turn of phrase for a moment like this. Something about McCain and news, and perhaps excellence. I can't quite put my finger on it.
October 19, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two Words. "O(h) Maaan".
October 19, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Breaking News
Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state, says he will vote for Barack Obama for president.
October 19, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
And Powell is supporting Obama! That's a hell of a morning.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 19, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is one helluva way to kick off the last two weeks.
October 19, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great job, Obama campaign!
Here's my next question: how much of the money is from donors who have maxed out? That will tell a lot about how much money Obama can raise this month. Obama probably still has to raise $100 million in October, which isn't easy when many of your contributors have maxed out.
October 19, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
My thought-- not too many
With the average donation of $86 the donors would have had to give about 20 times to reach the GE limit, and that really didn't kick in until the primaries ended.
So there is a lot of room to grow here, folks
October 19, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
i gave about $500 in september, which left me about $1600 shy of maxing out. i had trickled $25 donations in from time to time until i saw what was said at the RNC. that's when i sent in the $500.
during the first week of october, i gave close to $1600 to max out at my $2300.
i used the money my grandmother left me in her will -- she passed last august. i have a feeling that she would have voted republican (we never talked about it), but i figured the way to do the best with that money was to try to ensure a better future for my son, her great-grandson. so i gave the maximum to obama. it's the first time i ever gave a red cent to a political campaign (including the $3 optional campaign contribution on your tax return -- i've always declined).
i have a feeling that, like me, a lot of people may have held back a little and pumped a ton into the coffers the first week of october for the home stretch -- at least, i hope they did, since that's when it's going to be needed the most.
October 19, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. I've been donating in chunks to a number of campaigns. I think most of Obama's donors still have room in their $2300 to donate in October.
John
October 19, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
100,000 in St.Louis, 75,000 in Kansas City, $150,000,000 raised in Sept, Colin Powell Endorsement, Barack and Hillary tomorrow in Orlando, Bill Clinton in Nevada -----hell of a way to close in the final two weeks.
October 19, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I generally don't comment (I haven't commented in a while); but this is absolutely stunning. I am so blown away: 150,000,000!
What is absolutely certain is that we will have to have a much more serious discussion of the way campaigns are financed. This is absolutely unbelievable, Obama may have just ensured that noone will ever accept public financing again. He could potentially raise 3/4 of a billion dollars.
October 19, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama appeals to our better selves. We even give.
Here's a new post of mine, a brief psychological analysis of the mcShame campaign - and brief contrast to Obama.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/therap/2008/10/mcshame-campaign-in-a-nutshell.php
October 19, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love it when a plan comes together.
October 19, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
This makes my heart swell with pride. Pride in the Obama campaign, and pride in the three million plus people who are doing all they can to take our country back. It's so cool.
October 19, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just as stunning as the numer $150,000,000 - amazing - is the other number:
632,000 new donors.
Average donation less than $100. Incredible.
That's not just a campaign - that's a movement.
October 19, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo! And that is what will make it a successful presidency.
October 19, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
100,000 Obama supporters yesterday in St. Louis.
75,000 Obama supporters yesterday in Kansas City.
$150,000,000 raised in September.
Staggering.
October 19, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
632,000 new donors?
Yes this is a movement. Wow.
October 19, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Keep it coming...
October 19, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Powell's endorsement seemed solid and strong. Along with these fundraising numbers, it should give the Obama campaign a nice springboard into the up-coming week.
October 19, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
This sure - wow.
I can't talk.
October 19, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
And most of the donations are less than $100.
I'm gobsmacked.
October 19, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my guess, Tena. I think they count individual "donations," not a person's monthly total. But how much anyone gives at any one time. Just a bet.
October 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're probably right.
The other night I donated 150. They broke that up and brought in matching donations of $25 and $50 - I heard from 6 new donors who had matched my donation in pieces.
October 19, 2008 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. I just watched the video. Powell has redeemed himself! Could there be a more powerfully spoken endorsement? I'm blown away! I have tears in my eyes.
October 19, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say Powell has 'redeemed' himself yet. But he did do the right thing here, as did Scott McClellan in recent months, and that is to be commended. Besides, it's a beautiful Sunday morning here in Colorado, and I can understand the gracious sentiment.
October 19, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
*THUD*
OH. MY. GOD.
I am stunned. When I was hearing rumors of $100 mil I was shocked - this, this is beyond shocked.
I am still scraping my jaw off the floor.
Simply amazing.
Job well done. Job well done.
Lets just hope it gets the bigger job done and gets Obama and his coat-tailers elected.
2 more weeks folks...
October 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess I should have known that Obama had broken the bank when I started seeing ads in Chicago.
We are a horribly expensive market and the only reason to do it is for the NW corner of Indiana - only 10% of the market. The rest is preaching to the choir here in IL.
October 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jacksonian democracy meets modern campaign finance. Just imagine the impact if he's elected and can bring this network of supporters to bear on Congress to, say, get health-care reform passed. Harry and Louise, you got no chance this time!
October 19, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. So, I guess that there's a cost to dealing in cynical, hateful right wing eliminationist rhetoric and stunts.
Sucks to be GOP. They have to use language like that to fire up their core constituency (racists and fascist thugs), yet it turns off everyone else these days, and worse: encourages them to get out and oppose the GOP.
October 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Holy shit. And Powell's endorsement...man. I'm tempted to tell the fat lady to start warming up.
Powell's presser was pitch perfect.
October 19, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I never comment but this is the change we need. I am due to ship out in three months my fourth tour in five years and hopefully this will now change. God bless the true patriots. Go Barack/Biden08
October 19, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
O wow - I hope it changes for all of you.
Y'all have been overworked to the nth degree. Obama will get us out of there and you can come home - I hope with all my heart.
You stay safe, dammit!
October 19, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
$150,000,000 isn't enough. I just kicked in another thousand.
October 19, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well aren't you too cool for words?
:)
thanks!
October 19, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Amazing fundraising numbers....I am just stunned. And the DNC raised 49.9 million. That would mean the Democrats combined raised 200 million in September alone. WOW!
October 19, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
$150M is just... damn.
Obama more than DOUBLED the previous record of $66M (set by him of course last month.)
And we still have October. They have more money than they know what to do with.
You know all the politicians that have worked so hard over the years to raise money through all the traditional channels are looking at this and just thinking, OMG.
Campaign financing will NEVER be the same again.
October 19, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely will not be the same. You can tell by McCains jealous comments he made this morning about it.
October 19, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
To read McCain's babbling whine:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081019/ap_on_el_pr/mccain
October 19, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now, volunteer to phone bank, canvass, talk to everyone you meet and get out the vote! It isn't over yet.
October 19, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if people are like me, I donated a little bit every time Sarah or Grampy or Crazy-eyes Cindy said something particularly egregious.
My total for Sept: $250.
October 19, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess my $130M guess was even lowballing it. I assume McCain is already crabappling about Obama "buying the White House" - As much fun as it is being on our side, I'd be pretty bitter as a GOP supporter.
$150M is pretty damn close to doubling McCain's $84M in public financing that he has to spend over the length of the GE. And I predict Obama will have another $100M+ October as well. I expect his fundraising to significantly dry-up from here on out though given this release and the economic conditions - folks could use $200 more than the Obama camp.
October 19, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jonzie - the vast majority of those donations were under $100.
So yeah, everyone can use a couple hundred these days. This stunning figure - $150,000,000 - is made up of donations that are for the most part far less than $200.
There were 632,000 new donors last month.
October 19, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps, but it's not like there's any shortage of other worthy candidates to support.
And things like "No on 8" in California.
But as long as McCain and Palin continue to outrage, I expect Obama will keep raking in the cash.
October 19, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another month like September and Obama can just buy the Republican brand and throw it away.
October 19, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, pardon me, but I have a little totally mean-spirited gloating I have to get out of the way.
BUHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
All you MSM (ahem, and a few blogger) concern trolls who were doing stories from July til, well, now based on "leaks" about fundraising numbers that, invariably, turned out to be wrong and who were questioning the financial wisdom of the decision claiming he might well fall short and was going to have to spend too much time fundraising, P'wned, mofos! Guess all that stuff goes down the memory hole,ASAP, eh?
And all you Republicans who were gloating over the "windfall" in fundraising you got after McCain picked Governor Sparkleburst, how's that haul looking now? Like, maybe, small change under our side's sofa cushions? Oh well, at least you have one more thing to add to your delegitimazation narrative.
Oh, and boy that surrogate action you Republicans have had going recently is just working out great, isn't it? Piss off a big piece of one of the two or three most important states in this election on one channel and on the other, Bachman manages to give a massive boost to both Obama and her own opponent's fundraising figures and help push Colin Powell over the edge as well. Good work guys. Karl will be so proud.
And, ya know, if they'd just put some serious curbs on bundling and cut down the maximum contribution per person a bit, you could flush the public financing system as far as I'm concerned.
October 19, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am having an affair with your comments! That's how much I adore them.
:)
October 19, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am both blushing and a little turned on. And a bit nervous as only a lawyer living in one of only six (five?) states that still haven't abolished heartbalm actions can be.
October 19, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has raised $700 million in total and still increasing, i.e. more than the amount Bush and Kerry raised combined in 2004. And he also helped DNC raise unprecedented amount. That's just spectacular, a crushing blow to McLame.
October 19, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
$150 mil. Holy freakin' cow.
Man, November 4th can't come soon enough. That's when we get to really make our voices heard.
October 19, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow! I'm speechless. $150,000,000 in one month.
October 19, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg writes:
"What's more, as the month unfolded, it became clearer and clearer that McCain had made a strategic decision to wage a campaign dominated by slimy attacks, vile adver-sleazements, and cosmic levels of mendacity. And Obama's donor base responded in kind, as did more than half a million newcomers."
WTF?
WHEN did Obama's folks respond with "slimy attacks," etc.? Is this a typo?
October 19, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, not a typo per se, just a peculiar and incorrect use of the expression 'responding in kind'.
Greg simply meant that Obama's donors responded immediately to the attacks. Why he didn't simply say so and instead chose a more flowery turn of phrase that isn't even accurate, we can only guess.
October 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Power of the people! Power for the people! Woo!
October 19, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God for the IT revolution. The internet has done more to enable voters to participate in the electoral process than anything in history. Obama was smart enough to recognize how this could impact his campaign and why "our time is now." One of the many reasons he is the right man for us at this point in history.
I wonder if John McCain could go back and change anything, if he wouldn't have "de-invented" the internet.
October 19, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess I should say "un-invented." :)
October 19, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Credit where credit is due: THANK YOU SARAH PALIN FOR INSPIRING US ALL TO DONATE MORE!!!
October 19, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're blasting with Neil's 'Living With War' here. Speakers are pounding, blasting our Repug neighbors!
http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/index.html
October 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is awesome news, for sure, but I keeping hearing rumors that a lot of these donors are suspect, how the FEC still has a lot of questions, and how the Obama camp has been less than forthcoming.
Mostly I hear this from questionable sources, but every once in awhile an article will appear in some MSM organization. Obama has run a flawless campaign thus far and I desperately hope that this man gets elected, but I always find myself waiting for the other foot to drop...there actually being a 'whitey' tape, video of Obama doing something crazy, or whatever.
Can anyone answer for me if this is needless worrying, or is their anything to these donor rumors? I suppose if there was, it'd already be out there...but, you know, that other shoe and all...
October 19, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, it is needless worrying, habitually-learned from years of Democratic fecklessness. There is no 'whitey' tape. There is no fundraising scandal. Please stop being distracted and concerned every time the right-wing noise machine (Hannity, Limbaugh, McCain, Pat Robertson, the National Review, etc.) screams uncontrollably about every little thing. That's what they do. That's all they do. Lies and smears. Just because they do it doesn't mean there's a reason to believe it.
October 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I figured as much...I didn't necessarily mean that there was a 'whitey' tape...that myth was only reported on FOX, so I'm not worried about that exactly. I guess it's just a general worry that, with things going so well, something will happen to stall the momentum.
Though I thought that the donor rumors could be more credible due to FEC statements and stories within the MSM about it, I can't seem to find any statement from the FEC questioning his donations which is good.
Anyway, thanks for the response!
October 19, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
When they got negative, we got to forking over that money. Just ask Michele Bachman how we fight smears. By showing our support to KICKING YOUR ASS OUT OF OFFICE.
October 19, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink