Obama’s Fundraising Blowout

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At some point, this has to be reckoned with. $31 million in April is impressive enough. But much more impressive is the nature of the donations: 94 percent of them are under $200. That’s why these massive rallies are important – they are not only used to energize and inspire people; they are managed so that people who show up give their email addresses and subsequently get hit up for cash. That means these people can give more over the next few months. We have never seen this kind of fundraising base before in American politics. It is a revolution. Josh Green’s piece remains the best explanation of the web strategy. It’s more than a campaign; it’s a phenomenon.

(Photo: Jeff Haynes/Getty.)

“My Lady Parts Do Not Ache For Hillary Clinton”

"Currently pregnant with the next generation, let me just say this: There is no greater wish that a mother can have for her daughter than that she will exploit poor people, obliterate Iran, and win rigged class president elections, Putin-style. (Mom, I won 100 percent of the vote!) …

This War on Women is just like the War on Christmas: imaginary. Yes, yes, Hillary’s had to contend with the fashion police (BTW: Do you think Barack Obama looks more like a real American with or without a tie?) and the “likeable enough” smear (Is he black/white/patriotic/Christian/American enough?). And who but a female candidate would have to be tough and warm AT THE SAME TIME? Surely, not Obama, right? (Does he seem aloof to you? I’ve heard he hearts Hamas.) Adding insult to injury, Obama is NOT calling for Hillary to drop out. Men!" – Allison Benedikt, Village Voice.

Webb Takes Manhattan

Oh, the elitism of it all! Then this:

When asked if he’d consider being a Vice-Presidential candidate on an Obama ticket, Webb’s non-reply–" I like being a Senator" — –suggested to me that he’s ready to rumble. And his media blitz these last few days –Meet the Press, Late Show With Letterman, Olbermann and Dobbs tomorrow–second that emotion.

Quote For The Day

"Here’s the truth: the Soviet Union had thousands of nuclear weapons, and Iran doesn’t have a single one. But when the world was on the brink of nuclear holocaust, Kennedy talked to Khrushchev and he got those missiles out of Cuba. Why shouldn’t we have the same courage and the confidence to talk to our enemies? That’s what strong countries do, that’s what strong presidents do, that’s what I’ll do when I’m president of the United States of America." – Barack Obama.

Hasn’t It Been Great?

An Obama lover writes:

To watch Obama actually campaigning, freehanded and fullthroated, against McCain? I’m really excited about this new stage of things.

He seems liberated. And the first skirmish – about how to deal with enemies in wartime – is a core issue that needs unpacking. We forget how unlikely it was that these two would be our choice. it is a remarkable and good thing.