Obama Revives Donor Matching Program

Consider: Barack Obama has 250,000 donors, a small minority of whom have contributed the maximum $2300 for the primaries. A comparatively higher percentage of Hillary Clinton's donors have maxed out. Obama has many more potential wells to tap. So sheer interia is one reason he may outraise Clinton again.

As the end of the quarter approaches, the campaign is pairing up small donors and asking each of them to match the other's contribution.

Campaign manager David Plouffe sent an e-mail yesterday to the campaign's 250,000 donors. One of those donors forwarded the e-mail along.

"I know this is not a novel approach, but I love this idea," the donor writes. "I originally gave $50 back in [redacted] and have been trying to figure out a way to get the most ‘bang for my buck’ on another $50 contribution. This works perfectly."

In the e-mail, Plouffe describes the process:

You choose the amount you're willing to match. If you want, you can write a message to a potential donor about why they should own a piece of this campaign. Then you wait. Soon you'll be matched with a fellow Obama supporter who's making their first donation because of your promise to match their gift.

Comments

Wait! I thought you said Hillary would outraise Obama this time. Did you not say that just yesterday? So what you're really saying is you don't know, which is not a reason to write a blog entry.

I want all national pundits who don't know what the fuck they're talking about to STOP TALKING. This verbal and written pollution does nothing to advance public or private understanding, not even your own. Just be quiet and wait. You might actually find out more by listening than by talking; go figure.

Posted by Michael's Mom | September 20, 2007 6:05 PM

This sounds illegal to me. I know something sounds fishy about it.

Posted by rssrai | September 20, 2007 6:15 PM

I reread it and realize that the previous donor is not giving the money to another donor to donate. I thought that was what they were asking. Duh. The donor gives and than ask another donor to give money.

Posted by rssrai | September 20, 2007 6:18 PM

Hey, you said you were gonna post Republican fundraising predictions today. Where they at?

Posted by phil | September 20, 2007 6:48 PM

Thank you Marc! Your last post about fundraising spurred me to make another donation to Obama -- this time a matching donation.

RESIST THE CLINTON MACHINE!

Posted by donna | September 20, 2007 6:53 PM

I'm a small donor to the Obama campaign. I give a regular amount every month that I've authorized the campaign to charge my debit card. Then when extra things come up to match a new donation, even though I'm on a fixed income, I can't resist. It's always a thrill to hear from the new donor and why they want to support Barack Obama. This campaign makes me feel as if I'm really doing something to make a difference.

Posted by SFT, Elgin, IL | September 21, 2007 12:33 AM

How is this illegal? There's no unfair inducement to donate, and it's two people who have already made a PLEDGE to give who are matched. In other words, its still voluntary...yet it's a novel approach to take advantage of the fact that, unlike Hillary, Obama has a LOT of small donors. Go to the FEC's website if you don't believe me. Clinton has almost $37M in donations that are over $2,000 and only $4.6M in donations under $200. Obama has $28M in donations that are over $2,000 but also has $14M in donations under $200 (with no PAC money, I might add). And that means they haven't met their max limit yet.

Posted by jdstone | September 21, 2007 9:02 AM

The whole point of this matching thing gave me another reason to give to Obama! I feel that I have accomplished something in this race and own a piece of history! Go OBAMA! See you in January in IOWA.....we gonna rock and surprise the establishment!

Posted by Daniel, Desmoines, IA | September 23, 2007 5:30 PM