David Plouffe's Strategy Update

[canyonclimber]

This exactly the opposite news from what we have read as Barrack announced his decision not to accept public financing. Your campaign just forfeited $80,000,000. Why did you do that? What makes you think your supporters have the money to compensate for that?

[OMG0YK]

For the sake of America, vote for Obama.

[rjl2000]

Obama is a total joke! I live in Chicago, probably the most corrupt city in the country and he is just another crooked corrupt fixture. A good speaker with ZERO experience!

[1windsofchange]

Thank you David for all your hard work.

[Mars1951]

David, what I don't understand is why you guys haven't made the point that had you agreed to public financing that the combined McCain/RNC would have outspent you by an enormous amount. Is there something I'm missing? Still think you're doing a great job.

[CABeers]

Obama voted for the "FISA" bill because he wanted court to supervise. To what end...why bother...Where is the line where our privacy begins?

[TerryADunne]

BOO HOO THIS BREAKS MY HEART.

[PlanetMother]

David, if you're cute, please explain how we...europeans can donate???

[FalconX2000]

No, you can't. Foreigners can't donate to campaigns, for many political and 'conflict of interest' reasons.

[Nominay]

Need money eh? Sounds like Obama better pick Evan Bayh to help bring the Clinton donors into the fold. And Evan's got his own PAC of like 10 mil. He has nothing to spend it on, so VP Bayh could help pay down the debt!

[JUNIOR4YOU]

To be candid.put all political gimics aside,Obama remains the best alternative for America now!McFlip is old,wants education on economy now,says americans are better of(economy),says we are a whinning country yet will continue to spend 10 billion$ a month in Iraq for hundred years in Iraq.McWhat??Does this McFLIP understands that 1+1=2??McNEED-EDUCATION at time of solution??God have mercy!

[Allenpwnsu2]

Mr. Obama I have a question to ask you. You say you will bring troops home correct? Well how come you say that you will send troops to Afghanistan? Afghanistan is not home Mr. Obama and yes you did say you would send troops to Afghanistan. You are lieing to the American people.

[thehatbloke]

Oooh let me take a wild stab at this one. You bring home approximately 100,000 troops from Iraq. That leaves approximately 20,000 to assist the Iraqis with training, security etc.

There are currently 32,000 US troops in Afghanistan. Generals say they need 6,000-7,000 more.

In broad terms that means about 100,000 uncommitted and about 60,000 on active duty. Instead of doing endless back-to-back tours of duty, soldiers have time to spend with their families.

[nh0syn0htn4]

okay allen, first of all. obama would never outright lie to us americans. if he did.. well that'd be the end of his campaign. you're obviously a supporter of John McCain so im not going to waste any effort convincing you that obama is the better candidate. i just wanted to let you know that we citizens aren't dumb people, if you're trying to leech a few votes from obama supporters it wont work. stop polluting this stuff.

[sean34nite]

if u were listening at all to what barack has been saying, u would hear him say he would successfully end the war in Iraq, reasonably and strategically withdraw troops, re-group and concentrate fully on fighting terrorism in the homegrown countries such as afghanistan. LISTEN!!!!!!!!

[Allenpwnsu2]

Mr. David You deleted my comment as i noticed. Shows I brung up points you did not like.

[PlanetMother]

Fine with me but not one Penny for Hillary...let her solve her problem.

[Stormwern]

He should take some speaking lessons from Obama, more enthusiasm, less sleep deprived blogger. Still, message recieved and understood. :)

[00kelj00]

mccain:"I know how to win wars"

hmmm...which wars did he win? Please enlighten me.

[obambicom]

this video is embarrassing.

[Ben1stplace]

vote for Obama good at poltics.

[criticalthinking2008]

What happened to my comment?

[criticalthinking2008]

Is he playing the economic underdog now?

I can't believe it. I'll make a 2000 dollar donation today! It is for a good cause.

[IH8WRONGPPL]

already donated 10 million...prayers :)

[838millionman]

I already donated $75

[mnelson2008]

January 20, 2009 - Barack Obama will be inaugurated as our president. I visualize this everyday, and I can't wait.

[PlanetMother]

... Right on, Money talks,bull*** walks

indeed.

[shizueleven]

I wish could donate..

[tedhu]

we put in a $100 re-occurring donation last month. we'll put in more as needed. balance the tough guy msg with hope and vision

also note that republicans are insidious economic elitists who bleed the economy by giving the most tax cuts to rich who bulk invest overseas and a pittance to reward work that actual fuel the economic growth.

dollar is being used as monopoly money, too much ($3 trillion in 10 years) of it floating in global currency markets as ious that our children have to pay off.

[javafreak10]

i absolutely agree! although as a texan i feel that my vote will be lost. nonetheless we need to restore this country.Obama 08!!

[OmgBryanGarcia]

ITS TIME FOR CHANGE!

OBAMA '08!!!!!!

[13abby]

Obama 08

[goinwheelin]

it's up to US. Big oil and special intrest isn't going to help Obama

thier energy is wrapped up in Mc Same

and our man Obama won't accept thier dirty money

[ToppAG]

Hang on there Obama, $50 is on the way :)

I could not do anything better than investing in my future.

Obama for 2008

[closertotheheart]

My family's in a budget crisis at the moment but I'm still going to donate. This video needs to be spread around to truly get the word out.

[PlanetMother]

Yes Donate

But NOT for Hillary, no thanks

[PotheadPundit]

this comment probably won't make it past the moderators. but doesn't anyone else think it is disgusting that a campaign update is only about money? ahhh. "Democracy" in action.

[madamelovely]

David Plouffe. There is no better strategist than you right now. Talk to Barack, tell him to STOP with the flip flopping and go back to the hope and change candidate

[geturfreakon01]

Obama or McCain? lol same thing as clinton bush or bush kerry or bush whoever just your 2 party system is corrupted

[lanidarwin]

I will be donating soon, money has been tight since gas and groceries keep rising... but there is no WAY I WANT MCBUSH TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE!

[beserker45]

Come on people DONATE as much as you can afford its time to turn the page on the failed policies of the past please

[mistimo1st]

hey guys.... you're all sending money to Obama, what about me? lol

[KrisKringleJingle]

one word... FISA

[malekbentsarah]

No matter how Obama has or will continue to disappoint it is NOTHING compared to the Republican Party in this country. I will sell a kidney if I have to.

[robertraidersmarines]

I'm donating $25 right now!

[darwinx0101]

obama will have my vote, but his choice to support FISA means i will no longer give money contributions.

his choice to support FISA seems like a little too much of the same and not enough change.

[tigerakabj]

I already donated today Dave. Keep up the good work. More is on the way soon. God bless and good luck. I'm right behind you. Obama 2008/2012!

[vallejoelgrande]

Relying on us, the public, is all well and good but this approach sounds a bit whiny to me. Are we a nation of whiners? Why don't we see a clear strategy that aggressively goes after the GOP? I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing it. I'm seeing Obama be sarcastic and that can be good, but without the proper balance all that is going to do is reinforce his elitist characterization--courtesy of the GOP. You need a strategy that highlights Obama's fighting spirit expressed in clear and simple language.

[flyboyprince1]

Yes please donate!!...OBAMA 4 PREZ!!!

[aradagebeya]

My $200 is on the way...! Folks we need to make this happen...! We ABSOLUTELY CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE NOW...!

FOLKS, REMEMBER 2000 AND 2004....! NEED I SAY MORE...

[kupotenshi]

My dad donated more than $100 to your campaign so far when you guys were battling through the primaries. I'll try and convince him to give another donation for the general. :D

Obama supporters, let's raise more money than the McCain supporters!

[hotrod2c]

I donated b4 midnight on this one date and I was supposed to get a bumber sticker... but I still support obama.

[cleo1994]

Many Europeans, myself included, would gladly donate to the campaign, if we were allowed to do so. You may elect your President, but it will affect my life too. Like Bush, John McCain is bad news for the world.

[macflyfilm]

Plouffe has brains, what do you know? Vote Obama, and please... DONATE!!! :)

[yoshirider123]

mac did u donate ??

[senwod70]

Take it to 'em Dave.

[majixone77]

Going to donate now David

You doing a wonderful job brother

[thehatbloke]

PART TWO

Schmidt's basically conducting a whittle-down-the-lead campaign and if you're playing defense all the time, he's liable to be successful.

It doesn't have to mean negative campaigning to ask voters (and the media) to closely examine the Republican candidate and his policies. But at the moment, the Republicans are dictating the narrative and shaping the debate.

If the spotlight never swings onto McCain, he becomes the candidate people reach less negative conclusions about. You lose.

[NoLimit99RBS]

Donating $25 tonight.

[thehatbloke]

Part One

Money aside David, it might be time to get a little more pro-active strategically. The MSM is in the tank for McCain (which you already know), so the narrative is a referendum on Obama.

It's 'Hide The Candidate'. Have surrogates speak. Run ads replete with Vietnam era imagery. With McCain hidden, the media endlessly dissect and evaluate Obama.

If voters never reach negative conclusions about McCain, it becomes a defensive battle just to hold onto to who you have.

[omarhea1]

hi david i just donate 2300,,, let get those rep. im with obama all the way!!!!!!go obama rep for ya!!!

[MarkG45]

you would have gotten several hundred dollars from me, but Obama lost his spine and his way on FISA. I donated it to my local house/senate race instead. Noriega spoke out against FISA, sorry Obama, I put my money where I see courage and a willingness to fight.

[lawsomi]

I agree to match (up to $100) the donations of the first 23 people that donate $100 or more. This will max me out for the rest of the campaign, but there is no better cause in my view. Let's see if we can reach our goal by the end of tonight. I will check back in a few hours to see how we are doing. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!!

Miguel Lawson (HLS '93)

[politicalfarce]

I just donated $5. I wish I could give more.

[babri62]

If McCain LOVE his country he will vote for OBAMA 08.

[psionicman]

I haven't seen any videos like this from you guys before (though maybe you've done them and I missed them), but I really like the idea of direct video updates from campaign people.

[lisalary]

Can a Non US Cititizen make a donation for Obama's Campaign? I'm not a citizen,justbut I really wanna make sure that i still can help Obama on his campaign. Tks

[tofresh28]

I was woundering if High gas prices where a way to keep Americans broke through election time.. In favor of the Republican party. Considering most Republicans are Oil Tycoons, and in turn will get the profits from high gas prices to fund Mcains campaign.

[SilvaZodiac]

I really wouldn't be surprised if that were true.

[noshabashaheen]

Ha! I never thought of that, but it makes sense! We may be poor, but we believe in change!

[TinFoil23]

As a fellow grassroots memeber, I can say that $50 is on the way.

[Mars1951]

David, you're doing a great job. Happy to see a kid from Westminster shine. Obama needs you and we need you. We'll get that donation in this month and each month till the election.

[rewindsf49]

Although money is tight i think I can donate another $25 it will be my third time donating but I've seen the level that Republicans can stoop to and they have big money on their side.

[bobbooty]

I am sending $100 to the campaign. Thank you for everything you are doing.

[argaen21]

I would love to donate more money but you lied about FISA so I'm not doing anything else for your campaign except voting for you.

[madamelovely]

I agree with you.

[aadk5475]

Go David! Wish I could donate

[mynameistopher]

This is sort of misleading. Doesn't Obama have three times the money McCain has?

[politicalfarce]

Yes, but the Republican Party has more money than the Democratic Party.

[Nightfirewow]

He has raised three times more money McCain has, but the Republican National Committee (based off of their fucking profits from high oil prices) has financed McCain pretty much throughout his entire operation. Damn republicans.

[MountOlivet]

I would love to donate more money to the Obama campaign but I've already donated $75 to Obama's campaign.

[hellomynameisrodney]

I could give you a few reasons why McCain would be a completely bad choice...and if you want to go in depth, we call all agree that he has lied in interviews countless of times while interviewers show him proof of his deceit. He also wanted to take credit for the GI bill which he voted against countless times and even more recently. he didn't even sponsor the bill and yet he gets credit for it by the Bush team. McCain=Bush...it's so clear. Obama is our only choice for a decent administration.

[gangsterwigwam]

Obama doesnt want foreigners contributing then again neither does McCain so sorry guys us Africans, Europeans and whoever else really would like to but cant. keep fighting for BO because you are not just fighting for yourselves but for the rest of the world we want the most powerful nation in the world to undergo a change as well. Bush administration has seriously lost you guys support in the world. I support the US after its tough stance on Zimbabwe keep the pressure up long live democracy

[ShereeW78]

I don't have much either BUT I just kicked in and donated $100 to Obama and $100 to the DNC. We DON'T have to agree with Sen. Obama on everything! It is about US & Barack stopping these Washington lobbiest and special interest (who have stock in McBush) and so Barack has become Public Enemy #1. I will NOT let it go down like this. We have lost 2 many great people from JFK, MLK, RFK, and so on. I am NOT waiting on the Calvary to come rescue us b/c WE ARE THE CALVARY! YES WE CAN & YES WE WILL!!

[dtstrain]

Taragolden & Kwizii,

Yes, money is a huge factor. Money spent on advertising translates to votes - it's that simple. That's why there is an advertising industry and why people pay for advertising. If it didn't have an effect it wouldn't be bought. The fact is, most people don't get their information from any other source, so money makes all the difference for the bulk of the population. That's why it is so important that Obama is getting his money directly from the people.

[AnishProductions]

Ill donate 100 dollars!!:) GO OBAMA!!!!!! Indiana for Obama!:)

-Anish

[goal607]

great video and go obama

[SIKABURO]

YES WE SHALL DONATE!Gonna make a $25 donation.Btw,its my second time seeing David,who has done tremendous work of getting us all involved.OBAMA Til I die! BO,08

[10junebug01]

I really wish I could donate, is there any way to do it by cash? My parents dont like to donate to campaigns, and I dont have my own credit card.

[worldatnow]

i think he is better than bush.atleast he wont attack iran

[mrfantasticE]

YOU CAN DO IT OBAMA!

[TreeHerder]

Donate and you can then say your support has helped an honest man become the president of the United States of America!

Europe for Obama!

[personz123]

go obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ben10023]

ok, i will pay about $50 for you to beat him.

[Kwizii]

I am for Obama but I don't think I'll support him moneywise. So what McCain has more commercials on TV? Obama speaks "truer". That's what counts.

[DameDiabolique]

That is true. However, McCain has the money to run these negative ads out there. Won't have enough money to run more ads to debunk them...

[SolitudeDemise]

Lets go Obama supporters, we have to contribute to the DNC and Obama campaign. If you believe in Barack Obama as I do--and as many others do--you should contribute what you can. As a nation we need Obama in the white house; we can't afford another 4 years of Bush policies.

[taragolden]

david, im just not clear on how its always money that makes the difference.so if they run negative ads constantly, you think that will create a president? on donations: its hard for a lot of us who want change to donate right now.. maybe you could focus on asking people for smaller realistic donations.. and list exactly where that money goes and what it will do.so we know its not going into negative mccain ads.by the way, the magazine cover is awful but i think it will backfire in their faces.

[EmilyElle]

I am Canadian and therefore can't donate to your campaign, but if i could i would. <3 Obama '08.

[jamaicandonjay2]

Obama 08

[Asj2000]

OBAMA 08!

[myha16]

I'll do what i can do financially for the campaign. But the Obama campaign might have to lift the band on lobbyist and Pac donating to the DNC.

[Bain6969]

PLEASE lord let Obama be our next President!!!

[Dres9711]

After the New Yorker article im donating 100.... i will not let Obama lose this race... I dont not want my child growing up in a divided america.

[mark8312theone]

i wont dissapiont our campaing OBAMA 08

[gallomex13]

Obama as soon as I get paid I'm hooking u up with a lil' somethin somethin, just make sure you are always on offense not defense.

OBAMA '08

[beefwellingtonjr]

SO this is david...hmmm...nice video OBAMA 08!

[sorundown]

I've always wanted to know how David looked like...