Thursday 5 April 2007

OBAMA VS. CLINTON: THE MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES? ('Take 3')

"THE BOTTOM LINE"


In the comments to 'Take 2' of this series, I and this blog's friend Cleo, from the US, exchanged views on the role of money in US politics, particularly as far as running for major elections goes. When thinking about that, expressions like "pulling power", "the power of money", "money talks" or "putting your money where your mouth is" always spring to mind...

Well, yesterday, Obama, who is now being talked about in the media as "the candidate with the Midas touch", made headlines with the disclosure that his fundraising campaign has managed to attract so far more than $25 million compared to Hillary's $26 million, in spite of the latter's relative pole position in the race. Perhaps more telling, Obama got so far some 50 thousand more democratic contributors, counting on 2 million more via the internet, than Hillary. Furthermore, none of the money Obama got so far came from corporate or institutional lobbies and he is allowed to spend $23.5 million in the primaries while Hillary can only use $20 million of her $26 million raised so far to the same effect.

As Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the Reverend who once was also a Black candidate to the US presidential elections, said: "This is a long journey to the White House and Obama is driving the fastest car." Or, as an American political analyst put it, "if money talks then Obama has a lot to say."

What do you think?
"THE BOTTOM LINE"


In the comments to 'Take 2' of this series, I and this blog's friend Cleo, from the US, exchanged views on the role of money in US politics, particularly as far as running for major elections goes. When thinking about that, expressions like "pulling power", "the power of money", "money talks" or "putting your money where your mouth is" always spring to mind...

Well, yesterday, Obama, who is now being talked about in the media as "the candidate with the Midas touch", made headlines with the disclosure that his fundraising campaign has managed to attract so far more than $25 million compared to Hillary's $26 million, in spite of the latter's relative pole position in the race. Perhaps more telling, Obama got so far some 50 thousand more democratic contributors, counting on 2 million more via the internet, than Hillary. Furthermore, none of the money Obama got so far came from corporate or institutional lobbies and he is allowed to spend $23.5 million in the primaries while Hillary can only use $20 million of her $26 million raised so far to the same effect.

As Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the Reverend who once was also a Black candidate to the US presidential elections, said: "This is a long journey to the White House and Obama is driving the fastest car." Or, as an American political analyst put it, "if money talks then Obama has a lot to say."

What do you think?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

koluki,

Thanks for continuing this series, it is interesting to see the evolution of this battle!

Obama is certainly winning voters hearts, even mine!

Hillary needs to do something and really soon to improve hers or just to be able to compete with Obama's image. I have to admit that even I'am succumbing to Obama's charm. Following the lines of my 79 year old (and member of the majority community)neighboor said if I heard today that, Obama is speaking in one room and Hillary in the next, I would probably enter Obama's room.

I would love to see a long and unstructured debate between the two candidates to entertain myself, make my final decision of who would best serve my interests and consequently give my donation.

The debate should be done for the sake of fairness. As the media now is at odds with Hillary, and in love with Obama. That makes difficult for voters to have an objective picture both.

Like I said before regardless, either candidate has the potential to be a great leader for this nation.

Koluki said...

Hi Cleo!

I would hate to say "I told you so"... but that's what the facts and the bottom line are suggesting...

Anyway, there's still lots to come, so let's wait for the next episode.