As you probably know, Barack Obama's campaign has set a goal of reaching 1.5 million donors by the time Indiana and North Carolina vote on Tuesday. According to the (yes, currently updating) counter on the Obama website, there have been 1,485,001 unique donors to our Obama campaign. This includes around 1000 new donors in the last twelve hours, a pace that is not quite enough to get us over the hump.
[UPDATE: 200 new donors in the first hour! Keep it up!]
Maybe you've been waiting for the nomination process to end, or money has been tight and you've been waiting for that tax refund check to come in. Believe me, I understand and sympathize... but if you're not yet a donor, there's no time like the present to make your voice heard. Reaching the 1.5 million mark this weekend will get attention in the media and can help win Obama crucial news cycles heading into Tuesday's primaries.
What happened when the campaign hit one million donors at the end of February? It got everyone's attention. We can create this kind of stir again:
The New York Times:
One million and counting. That’s how many people Barack Obama says have invested in him.... Mr. Obama reached the milestone thanks to a grassroots network and the support of many young and middle class folks, most of whom have made small donations.
Washington Times:
"I've been funded by you," Mr. Obama told a voter, who asked if he would keep his promises should he be elected in November.... Mr. Obama said in his announcement that his fundraising totals prove change is possible.
MSNBC:
The Obama campaign crossed the one-million-donor threshold today.... At last night's debate Obama said that 90 percent of his money is raised online in small-dollar donations, an average of $109.
Brent Budowsky at The Hill:
The Obama gang of 1 million in March will grow to 2 million by August. It will put to bed the cynicism of those who speak of unity, idealism and participation with sarcasm, derision and negativity. It will bring honor to those who give their time, energy and money to create the true power for lasting change. One million donors: This gives Democrats the resources to initiate the largest voter-registration project in history. The year that began with historic turnout in state after state will end with a historic transformation of the electorate itself that will lift Democrats at all levels and inspire independents in all states. This huge and surging donor base will put a stake in the heart of Swift Boat-style attacks. The first smear attack will be answered by the roar of millions of small donors, producing tens of millions of dollars, to bury the lie in an avalanche of truth.
The donor himself got on TV and had the opportunity to speak about his support for Obama:
Now we have another opportunity to create news. Let's step up and move those numbers for Obama! Let's show undecided Indiana and North Carolina voters (not to mention superdelegates) that this campaign is anything but elitist. Let's remind them that Obama made it this far through the support of Americans just like them. And let's move Barack Obama one step closer to the Oval Office!
Contribute to change we can believe in Here.