Obama's Lame Claim About McCain's Money

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Footnotes
The lobbyist figures we give here could stand some minor refinement. The totals might be reduced somewhat if the CRP used Obama's rather narrow definition of "lobbyist." Obama makes a point of refusing money from those who are currently registered to lobby at the federal level. The CRP has a broader definition, counting money from anyone working at a lobbying firm, registered or not, state or federal, and their families as well. By CRP's definition Obama himself has taken in $161,927 from lobbyists.

On the other hand, CRP does not count registered lobbyists who work in-house for corporations, industry groups and unions, but classifies them with their industries. Adding those in-house lobbyists to the total could increase the amounts somewhat. But adding donations from in-house lobbyists and subtracting donations from those who don't meet Obama's strict definition would not be likely to change the total by much, and certainly not by enough to justify Obama's claim that McCain and the RNC are "fueled" by such donations.

Also, for what it's worth, the Democratic National Committee has historically been far more reliant on PAC and lobbyist money than the RNC. In 2004, PACs provided about 10 percent of the DNC's total fundraising and only about 1 percent of the RNC's total, according to the CRP. Obama, after he sewed up enough delegates to win the party's nomination, sent word to the DNC to stop accepting PAC and lobbyist donations.

Republished with permission from factcheck.org

Sources
Ritsch, Massie. "Obama Puts Lobbyists, PACs on DNC's Do-Not-Call List." Center for Responsive Politics, 5 June 2008.

"Selected Industry Total to Candidates." Center for Responsive Politics Web site, accessed 19 June 2008.

"Summary Data: John McCain." Center for Responsive Politics Web site accessed, 19 June 2008.

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Posted By: Michael08 @ 08/06/2008 10:16:02 PM

While any explanation by Obama (to not accept public funds) other than he is raising more money outside of the constraints the system, can be considered disingenuous, I find it interesting that the article does not address the 527 group concerns (swiftboating) whose revenue base is not regulated and potentially unlimited.
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Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 07/01/2008 7:25:29 PM

KOOL-AID??????..From the kitchen of the obama sheeple!! take one heaping spoonful of an inexperienced elitist white male seeking self validation through exploitation of his african-american genetics. Combine two parts black liberation theology clerics spewing intolerance! With two parts of unrepentant intellectuals committed to the destruction of America. Stir in one cup of militant black wife harboring the overwhelming desire to stick it to whitey and one spoonful of typical white person grandmother mix well. Pour a gallon of anti-patriotism into tall glasses and sprinkle with naïve foreign policy ideations. Serve on a platter of meaningless oratorical hyperbole with a generous dollop of wealth re-distribution. Sprinkle liberally with zest of white guilt flip it and flop it till it tastes right. Serve large portions to the undiscerning and spellbound masses convinced that the Second Coming is upon America and now you have a complete recipe for disaster!
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Posted By: cr78704 @ 06/24/2008 3:01:47 PM

Very surprised to see a critical Obama article in Newsweek.