If there's a significance to this, Mark, I'm missing it. It makes for fun comparisons, such as the liklihood that Obama raised more over the internet than Edwards raised in total for the quarter. But... so? More people have access to the computer, more people are comfortable giving credit card numbers out over the internet... so why is it any surprise that more people are making political contributions this way?

Paul -- no huge significance. But since the Dean days, people at my network and also people online tend to be curious about the amount raised online. The Obama campaign just made that info available, and I posted it here...

And this is the buzz for Obama. Same buzz as last quarter. Then he fades into the background. Meanwhile, if you read the blogs, Hillary (and Bill) get press for their campaign in Iowa, the female vote, the Sopranos thing..etc, etc. Rudy, McCain, Huckabee, Dodd, Edwards...they're all getting press for stories other than fund raising. Sooner or later, Obama must translate the money into buzz. Obama is still an unknown with nowhere near the name recognition as others in the race. I don't know if he is intentionally laying low, waiting for the right time to strike, or what, but I think it's time for him to start making some buzz. At some point he has to turn the money into votes. When is going to start?

Al, I'd wait a while longer, too. Clinton may well be rattled and will be all over the media next couple weeks. That's just my sense - I don't know that. Let her have her reality show, etc. I'd let her wear herself out on voters, who unlike the rest of us haven't forgotten we're still more than half a year away from first caucus votes.

Look for a slow trickle of bio ads from Obama for the next four months. Then in November start the larger buys of real ads in all markets scheduled on Tsunami Tuesday or earlier. And of course in the meantime he'll continue stumping and fundraising in the early states - doing the things that have gotten him where he is.

When is Obama going to start letting people know what he is about?  He doesn't talk about anything concrete.
He was the same way in the Senate - I can't recall him taking a stand on much of anything.
We'll see how his #s look when people begin to learn where he stands.

Paul-I guess if the polls show Obama a long way behind, they'll be less danger of mudslinging by the other candidates (Clinton in particular). Perhaps it is best just to lay low for now and spring out later with the big guns. It just that it's going to take a while to get those cell phone types that you talked about on a earlier post to get in gear. Think November would be too late.

258,000 contributors to Obama.  Probably double the number of contributors than Hillary.  USA Today noted that Latino voters are abandoning the GOP for the Dems and that Hillary has the bulk of their support right now.  Yet, their poll also noted that 45% of Latinos had not heard of Barack Obama.  The money and the number of contributors will propel Barack past Hillary when it matters--when the voting begins.  You can bet on it.

Obama talks all the things that everybody knows is going to sound good. But will it translate into good policies or is it just empty talk to get elected?

Is it just me or do people just intentionally not want to read Obama's policy stances?  He delivers point by point plans for health care, government reform, ethics, foreign policy, etc.....yet, he has no substance.

To me, and those politically active, know not to let uninformed public opinions spin things.  Donors translates to votes...period.  No one is going to make an INVESTMENT in someone, especially this early, and not vote for the person.  Even if it is a $5 investment, that tells me that you believe...and more often than not are informed of his policies.

Also, keep in mind, that you are not going to hear detailed policy in standard stump speeches and 30-60sec debates.  Open your eyes (and your internet search engines!) America, and find out for yourself.

Hmmm, all these abstract posts about Obama's lack of substance. I thought he's been too substantive too early. What exactly are you guys hoping to find a position on, and which you haven't? Or are your posts basic drive-by typing, lol. And coincidentally around the same time the Clinton campaign is realizing she's in real trouble, lol.

Hey Chuck Todd - Did some bias against Senator Obama slip out when you were on 'Meet The Press' Sunday? I'm asking because late into the program Tim asked a question which you answered. Your answer sounded dismissive of both Obama's record-setting fund raising and his campaign.

If you're biased against him, that's okay. Just check it at the studio door, or, before you give the next soundbite, okay?

Thanks; I appreciate it.

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