Obama Has Raised $10 million for Inaugural Activities

[babylonsister]

Obama Has Raised $10 million for Inaugural Activities
By Emily cadei, CQ Staff


President-elect Barack Obama has already raised at least $10 million from 243 contributors for his inauguration and related activities, his inaugural committee revealed today.

The disclosure came as Obama’s inaugural staff launched a new Web-based public database of all donors, in yet another step towards upholding Obama’s pledge to run a transparent presidential transition.

The database allows users to search all donations of more than $200 to the inaugural committee, which aides promise will be posted within 48 hours of receipt.

The Web site also includes listings of all the committee’s bundlers – individuals who gather money from friends and colleagues to give to the inauguration.

The “guidelines we’ve released today set a new standard for openness for a Presidential Inaugural Committee,” John W. Rogers, Jr., Co-Chair of the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee, said in a release. “This tool demonstrates the new administration’s commitment to changing business-as-usual in Washington, DC.”

The disclosure of fundraising for both Obama’s transition and inaugural operations is indeed unprecedented. Such contributions are not regulated under federal campaign finance law and public financial reports are only required months after the committees have completed their work.

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002997472

[ryanmuegge]

1. He should have no party during a depression. It is inexcusable.

[babylonsister]

2. Says you. Seems like there are quite a few people who want to

celebrate his election, like 4-5 million.

[ClarkUSA]

4. You forgot to add, "Bah Humbug!!"

:eyes:

[Cha]

5. Boy, do you have

a wrong number.

[glowing]

6. Why? Sometimes you need to celebrate.. if only to lift the mood and the spirit

Its the reason why cinemas did so well during the last depression. It gave people time to forget about their problems for a moment. An escape. Laughter and good spirits is something that brings you through the dark times..

[peace13]

7. We had a bloody party during an illegal war.

Give it up.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

11. Yes we should.

Think about all the caterers, valets, cab drivers, hotel staff, restaurant and bar workers, etc. who will make some money in a rough economy.

[ryanmuegge]

24. Thank you for making a valid point in a sea of idiotic rhetoric.

[babylonsister]

25. Well aren't you just so superior to the rest of us.

:eyes:

[firedupdem]

13. Completely disagree! We need to party our asses off getting

those fucking criminals out of the Whitehouse and ushering in a new transparent government for the people!

[WhiteTara]

15. well, we're having a party here!

Our Inaugural Ball is shaping up to have about 400 people! I just wish I knew what color Michelle is wearing to use that as our color theme. I don't want r/w/b for this event.

[AllentownJake]

20. Yes because everyone knows when your in a mental depression

The best thing to do is lock yourself in your house and not have any fun.

That 10 million that is being spent for a "party" is feeding some peoples families this Christmas.

[VADem11]

26. Yes he should

Did FDR cancel his inaugural balls in 1932? No he didn't. Besides, this is a remarkable historic occasion that needs to be celebrated.

[Aloha Spirit]

3. I enjoyed glancing over the list of contributors here...

http://www.pic2009.org/page/content/donors/

The Soros clan gave like $200,000 between 4 people.

[monmouth]

8. And Jamie Foxx.....$50,000. Very generous..n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

9. Then why the FUCK are tickets for the inaugural balls and galas so expensive?

My bf and I are going. We were big Obama supporters since the primaries and delegates to the DNC. Yet the cheapest party we could find was $200 each. A lot of them are charging upwards of $2000 a ticket! Yeah, I know... :nopity: But still, I hope Obama gives a few out to us little peeps.

[babylonsister]

10. I don't know, but I'm sure there's nothing in my closet that would

be appropriate anyway! :D

[mrreowwr_kittty]

12. I picked up a nice gown at a consignment shop.

I was so excited! Looks good and fits perfectly. Now I need a coat. I gave all my winter stuff away when I moved to AZ.

[babylonsister]

14. Whatever coat you find, make it warm. And have a blast! I hope

you get to attend something. And bring a camera, pretty please?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

16. Sure thing!

Bf is a shutterbug and will put lots of pics up on Facebook. I'll try to post some here.

[AllentownJake]

21. I'm going to the PA party Innagural eve party

It's not a ball but the Govenor, our democratic congressman will be there. It cost me $300 for me and my wonderful friend who is lending me her couch to go. Not cheap but not $200 either and it's cheaper than a hotel room as a thank you to my friend for letting me stay the weekend.

[FrenchieCat]

17. I was debating if I would give.....cause I ain't got a whole lot......

but since this will be an historic occurence, I want to say I donated to the cause. After all, I want to see a great celeberation, so I'm gonna give a few bucks!

[Sex Pistol]

18. One thing's for sure, the man can raise money.

Perhaps the auto makers should tap him as their point man. :)

[AllentownJake]

23. They should just paint the O symbol on the Volt

or make it a hood ornament.

:rofl:

[Jennicut]

19. I say have the party, the money will help businessnes in DC, won't it?

[AllentownJake]

22. Yep

People will be working which means families will have a decent Christmas or can save for the months during the recovery.

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. It might help some businesses, but on the whole, I think it's going to be a drag for DC.

In case you haven't noticed, DC isn't just monuments and malls dedicated to dead people. It's also a place filled with slums where people live in abject poverty. Their budget is already strained by the civil services the city provides. An influx of 4 million people in a place like that is likely to break the bank as far as DC is concerned. Thousands of cops on overtime, thousands more brought in from other jurisdictions. Running the public transit system full bore 24/7. Cleaning up after the litterbugs go home. Geez, where do you find Port-O-Potties for four million people? It's going to be like one of those high-school nightmare parties where people you don't know come because they've heard there was a party, trash your house, then leave you to clean up the mess.

If I were the mayor of DC, I'd be asking Obama for some of that 10 million.