Inauguration Funding: Two Views

A reader writes:

I want to confirm your intuition that e-mails inviting me to pay for other people to party at the inauguration are very annoying, particularly when I have not been invited myself.  I'm a local union leader who went against my union to support Obama; donated more than $1,000 to the Obama campaign; am an officer of two visible, active political groups; and helped run operations that contacted thousands of voters for Obama.  And since election day I have received nothing from the campaign, transition, or inaugural committee by mail.  Not a hello, not a thank you, and certainly not an invitation.  And by e-mail, nothing by mass-mail "thanks," and ongoing appeals to donate.  I don't know that I would have gone to Washington for the inauguration.  But it would have been nice to have been asked.  I was asked to previous inaugurations, when I had done far less than I did this time.  I don't need a ticket to a ball, or a reserved seat, or anything.  Just a letter saying, "You worked for it, so come see it happen," would have been really nice.  I am trying not to feel pushed away, but people's emotions are funny that way.  Sometimes it's the small things that sting

Now -- here is another way of looking at it. The Obama inauguration team has done a number of things to open up the inauguration to more people than ever  -- a free event at the Lincoln memorial, opening up the mall, providing free tickets to the parade for DC students, giving away tickets. 

And politics hasn't entirely gone away. The Obama folks do have some responsibility to take care of the people who supported the campaign, often through difficult times and sometimes at a political cost to themselves. At the same time, they're doing more than anyone in recent memory to make this as accessible as possible.

What do you think?

Comments

Hmm...

I gave far less than the max to Obama, though supported him, and have no clout no where no how.

Yesterday I received a nicely printed (embossed even and with gold ink) 'invitation' to the inauguration. It wasn't an actual invitation, but it could be a nice keepsake if one were so inclined. It also included some other opportunities to buy inauguration swag, but the invitation itself was free of commercialism.

I reject the notion that Obama owes me (or anyone regardless of their 'support') anything other than competent governance. That may seem a bit naive, but the contrasting point of view is exactly what's wrong with politics in this country.

Posted by pAT | January 9, 2009 3:10 PM

I and many others have just received a fancy "invitation" on heavy paper to the Inauguration.

In contrast to the person quoted above, this "invitation" -- which came with an order form for expensive memorabilia -- has not been well-received. Most people who I've talked to assumed for a moment that the envelope must contain tickets to the inauguration and a ball. And were highly perturbed to realize that it wasn't what it appeared to be.

I don't have ill feelings toward Obama, but the combo of excessive emails and this last bit of deceptive marketing has been more than a bit crass.

Posted by Vermonter | January 9, 2009 3:13 PM

I'm infuriated that I'm being asked to pay for Rick Warren's appearance. Had I suspected that expressing my anger at a man who has publicly and repeatedly demeaned me as a human being and trashed the legitimacy of my California marriage would be characterized by Axelrod as "shaking my fist across the divide" and "something we need to get past," my donations to the campaign would have been significantly smaller.

It adds insult to injury for my husband and me to be inundated individually with urgent demands for "at least $250" based on what we donated to the campaign.

Posted by Larry McD | January 9, 2009 3:14 PM

I think they are doing everything they can to include folks in the process. With millions of contributors and millions of volunteers, it isn't realistic to send invitations out to everyone. However, what is also clear, is that this has been a campaign of the grassroots, where people didn't wait until someone asked for their help, they just took the initiative and volunteered. The thanks that each of us get, is that we have a new President who is working for US, not THEM. And for me, thats thanks enough.
The inauguration though, is open to the public. With initiative, anyone can find a place to stay, get to the mall for the inaugural and to Pennsylvania avenue for the Parade. There are dozens of free events, including performances on the mall on Sunday, and opportunities throughout the capital. Finally, considering the mess that the President-Elect has to deal with, we all ought to be very mindful that on the list of things to do, taking care of each of us at the inauguration, isn't nearly as important as taking care of our country in its time of need.

Posted by Jerry | January 9, 2009 3:15 PM

We are back on Rick Warren?

:P

I don't have a problem with the way O-team has handled things aside from two conspicuous items:

Howard Dean, where are you?!?

Donor email-fatigue... after all, its the new economy. They should do a better job of targeting, I guess, because many of us are worried about the next month's rent much less the Party in DC.

The Howard Dean exclusion being the most troubling...

Posted by Losdela | January 9, 2009 3:23 PM

Marc -
I'm a big Obama fan, but "opening the Mall" and having other "Free events" aren't really things to laud him for. The organizers are forced to "open the Mall" by the sheer masses of people who are expected to turn out for this historic moment. If the Mall weren't opened, then New Jersey Ave. NW and similar areas would be overwhelmed by mass crowds. Also, all presidents do "free events" on the Mall (e.g., Clinton's freezing cold "bridge to the 21st Century" events in '96).

- Bob

Posted by bob | January 9, 2009 3:23 PM

I guess I still harbor a hint of bitterness about this. I gave well above the average to the Obama campaign since the primaries began. It would have been nice to have been singled out in some way that a late-comer to the campaign perhaps wouldn't be. Even uber-egalitarian PBS fluffs their donors' egos better than this!

Still, I understand that you can't just send tickets to people who gave you money, either in principle or given the sheer mass of Obama's constituency (how many millions donated to Obama in the end?). Also, as I'm on the West Coast with a family, attending the inauguration would have been next to impossible, so either I would have had to have donated the tickets, or there would have been one more "empty space" at the Mall that could have been taken by someone who really wanted to attend.

And finally, God help me, but Obama's fund raising emails have long since reached a higher plane of detachment from my psyche shared only by car alarms and the nearby elevated train.

Posted by KobayashiMaru | January 9, 2009 3:34 PM

I only just learned that he can't use the money he raised from the campaign on the transition, inauguration or anything. I'm interested to know that, if there was anything left over, where would that money go?

Posted by Lesley | January 9, 2009 3:35 PM

Listen....

Everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - I've seen tells me that the Inauguration Committee and the incoming administration is doing everything it can to make sure that the people who worked for this ticket have the chance to participate in the ceremony and celebration. As Ambinder noted, they've gone out of their way to make the area accessible to the public and to give people ways to be involved that don't necessarily involve tickets (and I should add here that tickets are seriously overrated anyways ... unless you have seated tickets you will be standing in a sea of people regardless). They also invited their field staff - which as I understand it is unprecedented, especially given the size of the Obama field staff. And the field staffers, by and large, are giving their spare tickets to their best volunteers. Everyone wants everyone to be included.

The thing is, this was the largest field operation in memory, the campaign received donations from how many people (?!)... its hard to keep track of everyone in any form, let alone personally thank everyone, LET ALONE somehow get tickets to them all. I'm actually relieved to hear that commemorative invites are going out to people... I think a lot of the volunteers, union dems etc. I know would be happy to have just that.

Like I said, tickets are nice, but they really are overrated, and sparring over who got them and where the seating was and all this other nonsense is nothing but a distraction. We are getting a new Democratic administration led by somebody we all have confidence in ... we have much to celebrate. If you want to be part of it, come to DC as I will be doing, tickets or no tickets. History isn't just going to be happening within a gated area. And if you helped us make this happen, we are celebrating you, too.

11 days and counting.

Thank GOD.

Posted by anti | January 9, 2009 3:38 PM

Lesley,

I'm guessing it will be put in an interest-bearing account for the next 2 years or so, then be broken out whenever the campaign starts reorganizing for 2010...

Unless there is some legal way to use some of it for the seed money for OFA 2.0.... which is doubtful, but would be nice. :)

Posted by anti | January 9, 2009 3:42 PM

Larry McD: I'm totally in sync with you on being asked to help pay for Pastor Warren's appearance. It's very easy to unsubscribe to the Obama email list. It'll clear your inbox of a whole lot of angst.

Posted by Scott | January 9, 2009 3:43 PM

I never intended to go to the inauguration, though I'll be watching it at home. I did contribute the maximum allowed by law to Obama both during the Democratic primary and the general election. This is a lot for me to contribute, an amount that I couldn't have given after the economy tanked this fall. So I'm a little surprised that there's no mailed invitation for people like me. I contributed $250 to Bill Clinton during the general election in 1992 and received an expensive-looking heavy-weight ecru invitation, like a wedding invitation. I do receive many e-mails from the Obama campaign but think fewer asking for money at this point might be a better strategy -- giving us a little time to save up for 2012!

Posted by HarrietJ | January 9, 2009 3:51 PM

I dont understand how in this age too, people can find emails annoying. If you are that sensitive to extraneous emails, you are in for a lifetime of misery. Setup a filter such that these easily identifiable donation mails go to some folder where you can view them if you want.

Obama had 3 million donors and even more volunteers and paid organisers. My guess is that there will always be some people who will be offended by not being personally seated next to Obama on inauguration day, while the vast majority who contributed for an Obama victory and are more than satisfied by the results on Nov 4th.

Posted by Calvin | January 9, 2009 3:55 PM

it seems to me that Obama transition team has been handling access to the inauguration and inauguration fundraising much in the same way as the campaign handled things throughout the election. They used similar techniques with the convention. Yes, some people will be able to give big money and get an invite, others may get an invite through a lottery.

I gave about $500 to Obama. While that may not be a lot to some people, it is a lot to me. I supported Obama when he ran against Bobby Rush (my congressman at the time) and during his Senate race. I made the case for Obama with every person I could. It never occurred to me that I should feel entitled to an invitation to the inauguration. Millions of people donated money and volunteered for Obama - they can;t all be included. I haven't been supporting Obama in hopes that I would be paid back - I did it in the hopes that we would have a president who would serve us well. My reward for my donations and my hard work was Obama winning the presidency and hopefully Obama leading us to a proud and safe future.

Posted by jackson93 | January 9, 2009 4:03 PM

I find the complaints here a tad wearying. We had an awful, awful president and administration and we have a very exciting moment at hand. To see this in individualistic terms - where's my personal invite - is so beside the point. This is about taking our country back, getting a fresh start, turning the page.

Posted by debbie | January 9, 2009 4:05 PM

I'm not upset that I wasn't invited to the inauguration, in the same way that I don't get upset about not having tickets to the Super Bowl. I'd rather see the whole glorious spectacle on my TV in my comfy slippers, sipping some nice beverages with my family and fellow Obama fans.

However, I am VERY tired of the emails asking for donations for the DNC, the inauguration, Hillary Clinton, etc. Obama's was the first political campaign I ever gave to, and now I feel like a cheap date: asked ad infinitum "Won't I give at least $100 to help [ name_current_cause ]"? Well, No I Won't. It's distressing that they are using their voter/donor base this way.

Posted by DelaineR | January 9, 2009 4:10 PM

I wasn't expecting a personal invite or anything, but the donate for a chance to go to inauguration series of email ticks me off. To avoid being an illegal sweepstakes, no donation is necessary. Making a donation of 10k or 0.01 is the same, which is ZERO chance if you do not write a compelling essay to make yourself a political prop. Click on the donation button and read all the small print. It's an essay contest.

Posted by melwrc | January 9, 2009 4:29 PM

For the record, I am a college student who gave $50 in the primaries and after the election I received a lovely autopen-signed letter of thanks from Barack and Michelle Obama. It did not ask for anything else, it simply thanked me for my early help. Maybe the union leader moved recently and didn't forward his mail?

Posted by brian oconnor | January 9, 2009 4:36 PM

when i give money to a candidate i don't expect anything but a well-run campaign that leads to victory. and i definitely got it.

now about that rick warren thing...

Posted by Joe Justice | January 9, 2009 4:48 PM

I'm sure they're paying attention to the response rate on these emails, so they must still be working.

Posted by Man Animal | January 9, 2009 5:10 PM

I too am a maxed Obama contributor, and I, too, am upset by the emails I've gotten asking me for more money for the inauguration, but not for the same reasons that other people seem to be upset.

I didn't donate to Obama for any direct reward, I did it because I WANT RESPONSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE!!! Using the greatest fundraising network ever assembled to gin up money to have a party in DC is insulting to me as a citizen, and it's unbecoming of this moment in our history. People can hardly pay the rent, so not only should Obama not ask us to pay for this party, he should not be having this party. There should be the swearing in and the speech AND THAT'S IT. I don't care if it's traditional to have some bullshit ball an a bunch of other useless crap. All the pageantry at the expense of governance is a major cause of our broken politics.

To sum up: Every minute Obama spends thinking about the inauguration hoopla and not thinking about our real problems, and every dollar that is spent on this while average people can't pay their bills, is an insult to all the people who helped get Obama elected. Sending out mass emails to try to get people to help fun this massive distraction is not a good idea.

Posted by OGWiseman | January 9, 2009 5:18 PM

Jeez, for those of you complaining about the e-mails for donations, it's in your power to simply unsubscribe!

Posted by dcguy | January 9, 2009 5:38 PM

I am retired and I budgeted a minimum of $100 each month to the Obama Campaign(total of 1,500) AND worked for the Campaign several days a week during the primary and general election. I was THRILLED to do so---and this was the first time in my life that I ever donated to or worked for a campaign!

I didn't expect anything in return EXCEPT a President whose intelligence and values I can respect, and HOPE for a better future for our children and grandchildren. I will gladly watch the historic events of Jan. 20 in the comfort of my living room surrounded by a few of my friends and family.

We are all in this together. Forget about personal expectations and payback!!!!!

Posted by Sandra, Richmond VA | January 9, 2009 5:38 PM

OGWiseman,

Seeing as how Obama has put together his cabinet faster than just about any other modern president and has had numerous press conferences on the economy while the current president has already check out, I think it's safe to say that he is quite focused on the challenges facing us.

While I can understand the frustration about money being spent on a party during these dire times,part of me feels like why should we as Democrats have to forego celebrating this amazing victory because Bush and Co. created a huge mess. Also, it seems kind of wrong to skip the official celebration of our first African American president. We have lots of work to do, but can't we just take a moment to savor this historic occasion?

HarrietJ,

You wrote "So I'm a little surprised that there's no mailed invitation for people like me." One of the many reasons I voted for Obama was to try to move away from this idea that the more money you gave entitled you to more access, special treatment, or a louder voice. While I know that has not been achieved, it is striking to hear Obama supporters voice how they feel that he "owes" them in this way. The way the ticketing situation is being handled seems inline with the way he handled so much of the campaign. Lots of people maxed out and lots of people gave what they could afford to give. Why is your $4600 more meaningful than the $20 someone else gave when t was they could afford? Millions of people gave and worked for this - why are "people like you" more deserving?

Posted by jackson93 | January 9, 2009 5:39 PM

There is a great line in Our Town where the stage manager/narrator says, "here is some scenery for those who need scenery".
I feel the same way about the pomp and ceremony and swag of inauguration. Some poor bastards need that kind of attention and bless them but I don't want to be them or need tto sit with them.
Inviting rick warren may be deeply troubling to some but keep eye on the ball: he (rick Warren) will be more compromised by it than we or Obama will be by having him. The Lincoln bit about having enemies inside the tent applies here. The whole day is more for bringing others on board than it is for rewarding the people good enough to already be on board.
Those who are troubled already maybe never were on board.
The day is to get the dream going, to get the agenda rolling.
calm down. you aren't paying for others to be there, you are investing in the future and health care. grow up I keep thinking.

Posted by Michael | January 9, 2009 6:13 PM

There's nothing wrong with small donors being asked to help pay for the inauguration -- better us than the lobbyists. The point is: if the Obama machine can locate small donors to ask them to chip in for the inauguration, they can locate the same people to send them a nice invitation (even a symbolic, memorial one) to it. Seems like Fundraising 101. If that's not happening, there's some kind of system error in Obamaland, which usually avoids such glitches.

Posted by tkd | January 9, 2009 6:32 PM

I got an invitation to buy six tickets and was on a conference call this week - it's not that hard to get yourself on the list for inaugural ball tickets if you express interest to the right people and gave money during the campaign.

Posted by TH | January 9, 2009 9:52 PM

I, too, gave early, often, and until it hurt, beginning in the primaries. For my contributions, I got the President I strongly preferred. I'm delighted with that deal.

As for the inauguration, Washington is going to be a weeklong party, from the neighborhood cafes planning to open Friday morning and not close for five days, to the museums, particularly the Smithsonian Indian museum (on the Mall facing the Capitol), which is joining with the Latino Center, Asian Pacific heritage group, and new Museum of African American History to host a free multicultural mini-Folklife Festival Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

This is a proud and historic moment for our country--one even my lifelong Republican McCain-voter parents are excited to witness. So I hope people enjoy the ticketed balls, but I hope everyone also basks in a rare moment of national celebration.

Posted by No Need to Thank Me | January 9, 2009 10:46 PM

Quit whining. What a bunch of hooey.

Posted by Joe | January 9, 2009 10:49 PM

Forget the "thanks," President Obama --just give us your best effort to set the country right again. You'll get all the small donations I can afford for your historical inauguration. At age 60, I can tell you that I've never felt so included by a team of government leaders. Thank YOU for taking on such a difficult, complex job on behalf of all Americans. Godspeed. We'll be watching on TV (and having a little party to celebrate with you).

Posted by Debbieqd | January 10, 2009 7:55 AM

I don't care much about the invitation that I DID NOT RECEIVE, but I am annoyed that they continue asking for more money.

My goodness, at one hand they say we are in depression, and they turn around ask for more money for inauguration so other people can PARTY.

YES, I AM MAD AND ANNOYED ...ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE WON, BUT LETS NOT SQUEEZ PEOPLE TO DEATH!

Posted by frieda | January 10, 2009 10:20 AM

Brief note to remember is that what was the Obama campaign is now split into transition, inauguration, and OFA 2.0 teams. The coordination that existed during the election to provide a balance between fundraising solicitations, event notifications, and other content no longer exists. So it's not surprising that, taken overall, the emails are a little tone deaf. The Obama YouTube account has been pretty dormant too - they probably kept on the email fundraising team and the content people have moved on.

Posted by Mark | January 10, 2009 11:15 AM

I maxed out in primary contributions and gave a substantial amount in the general (though not max). I also donated two of my vacation days and many weekend hours to the Obama campaign. I'm not as hurt or offended as some for not receiving an invitation to some type of inaugural event. Still, I'm not about to buy an inaugural lottery ticket either.

I've never before been politically involved. Something special for those many supporters in my situation would have been nice.

Posted by Keith | January 10, 2009 1:05 PM

I want to add I did receive the inaugural "invitation", like pAT.

Posted by Keith | January 10, 2009 1:08 PM

What strikes me overall is: commercialization. Now, I haven't lived in a bubble nor on another planet.... In fact, my husband, sister, and I attended the Carter Inauguration (including being invited to the main Georgia Ball and having seats in the stands opposite the White House--spouse and sis having worked heavily on the campaign); and, I attended both Clinton Inaugurals (including Balls, Parades, and seated ticketing in January, 1997.) I am proud of our youthful participation, and will always remember those beginnings. As a lifelong active Democrat, I voted for and supported President-Elect Obama. So, here is what I've noticed: The hype. Maybe the expectation of and desire for change exacerbates the waiting. Maybe the advent of wide Internet usage adds to it as well. There is nothing new about the public being able to see the parade without tickets...in the past, people always walked along the sidelines and found good viewing spots (seating, of course, requires tickets) and there is nothing new about free special events at the Mall, Lincoln Monument, or other noted venues--e.g., Carter's sunrise service at Lincoln monument with Coretta Scott King and opera diva Leontyne Price and Clinton's evening concert with every rock and jazz notable at the Lincoln monument (topped by stupendous fireworks displays.) What seems to have changed,tho, is the price of the official events--huge increases & way beyond inflationary factors. (Even my state's night-before party/ball is asking about 1K for openers--and, oh, it used to be free.) Please understand that my concern should not be read in the nature of a whine. My feeling is that one has always had to --er, um --pay to play at these events. Yet, even tho I have been and am fortunate enough to be involved over the years, there is something more than a little askew here...and, that diminishes the hope that we should all share. It doesn't negate the positive expectations; it does, however, inject a sense of sadness around the glimmering edges. Thanks for letting me comment.

Posted by christinep | January 10, 2009 1:08 PM

Everyone here with a complaint about not being "properly recognized" as a contributor should read anti's post at 3:38pm. How soon we forget that this was our civic duty. Complaining about receiving a ticket seems to me to be a misplaced sense of entitlement. The only thing we're "entitled" to from Obama is competent governance.

Sometimes we complain about the wrong things.

Posted by jwalden91lx | January 10, 2009 2:46 PM

I volunteered to be an assistant of any magnitude; but, I was not chosen. I could put this down to bad management, a snub, George having the feds after me, being poor, etc. Whatever. I still love Obama. I would die for him.

Posted by Wanda | January 10, 2009 4:43 PM

I'm no big shot. I donated about $250 over the course of the year to the campaign--not a lot of money to most folks, but a lot to me. I don't have a large annual income. Certainly more than I'd ever donated to anything else, political, charitable or otherwise. I also maintained a daily pro-Obama blog throughout the primary and general election season, which I think counts for something. I'm going to support President Obama right down to the last dog dying...but I don't want David Plouffe to send me one single solitary email asking for money again until 2012. Hell, I'd rather they just take the corporate donations and pay for the damn party that way.

Posted by Will | January 10, 2009 4:57 PM

The world hates whiners! Go bleep yourselves!

Posted by Honey | January 10, 2009 10:13 PM

In response to your "Final Word" above, I think that in times such as these it may be very appropriate for the Inauguration to consist of the Chief Justice, a Bible, and a ring of bullet-proof glass. Heck, perhaps we should only hold celebrations when the President is leaving office. This is a corollary to my view that weddings should be simple affairs and that the glamorous party should be had once the couple makes it 10 years.

Posted by DP | January 11, 2009 10:37 AM

Something for nothing........

Even if you did donate, why does that entitle you to an invite to the inauguration? If you voted for Obama, then you must clearly want a change in Washington. Millions will watch from their home - why must you be any different? If you truly want to attend, then visit the mall and watch on the big screens. The true problem in politics is the sense of entitlement that comes with a vote. All we need is effective governance and respectable ideals. Asking for something in return is like being a pissed off teenager acting out toward their parents - they have been given the world by their parents, but they still want more. Get over it and enjoy the celebration of this momentous event.

Posted by Adam Niswonger | January 12, 2009 6:56 AM

My husband and I gave far more than we've ever given to a presidential candidate, and I spent the last two weeks of the campaign at the local Obama HQ - making phone calls.

I expect nothing in return beyond his election which is more than enough of a reward. But I do wish the emails would stop. Enough already. Save the use of the gargantuan email list for something really important.

Posted by Kim | January 12, 2009 10:03 AM

I agree with previous comments on several points:

* If you are sick of the fundraising emails, simply unsubscribe. You have the power.

* There were millions of us who donated and volunteered to the campaign. The notion that anyone is entitled to a personal invitation/tickets is ridiculous. That said, like others I did get the fancy commemorative "invitation" in the mail and I thought it was a very nice touch. (As soon as I find a job I plan to buy one of the inauguration souvenirs. And no I don't mind being asked to help fund a national celebration.)

* Obama is doing a great job in the transition and I can't wait until this new era begins!

Posted by Ruth | January 12, 2009 12:10 PM

All I can say is the reader's experience has not been the same as mine.

I am one of the many small donors to Obama and never came close to donating the maximum. I volunteered for Obama during the primaries and the general. Not thousands of hours, mind you, just once a month or so and on Election Day.

As for thanks, I got a post card from Michelle Obama within days of victory, thanking me for working for her husband. I had numerous emails from David Plouffe, the state campaign leaders like Bob Casey, Jr. and my county's leaders like Jason Altmire, MoveOn and other liberal organizations, Joe Biden, and PEBO himself. I got a text message of thanks on my phone from the Obama campaign. I got thanked all out of proportion to what I believe I deserved.

And, yes, I have gotten the inauguration solicitations, too. And I have donated. Why? One of the reasons I supported Obama is his lack of ties to lobbyists and the usual suspects in Democratic funding. It is, in my opinion, one reason he is more trustworthy than other politicians. And the less the typical corporate and ultra-wealthy funders are involved in anything having to do with his time in office, the better we'll all be. And because inaugurations are quite expensive, someone has to fund PEBO's and it might as well those of us who have funded him all along. Better us than Blackwater or the coal industry or whatever.

Posted by geg6 | January 12, 2009 1:07 PM

I am upset this moring. I worked the Obama campaign, then the Obama/Biden Campaign. Contributed funds, not much but I did.
Did I get an invite? NO.... But people I know that did not send a nickle or a dime, did't make one phone call, did not go knocking door to door, received an invitation, and I feel slighted.Mind you, I'm still going to work the "Whistle Stop on Saturday, and I'm going to DC, but I still feel slighted. I hope the people who did receive invites remember that in 2012 he'll need volunteers to work like I worked in 2008.

Posted by CharlotteAnn | January 13, 2009 8:11 AM

I hope all of the Hillary Clinton lackeys who are hogging the invitations are prepared to work phones and the pavement for Obama in 2012. Some of us who busted our ass for Obama and get to watch his opponents party aren't feeling quite as motivated.

Posted by BenLinus | January 19, 2009 9:25 PM