How much do you make an hour?

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2008 2:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Putting the $106 million that Obama spent in the first 15 days of October in perspective...

OBAMA'S OCT 1-15 SPENDING = $105,599,963.76

That's more than $293,000 an hour.

It's also 49% of EVERYTHING McCain has spent the entire time he has been running for president ($216,769,840).

By contrast, McCain's Oct. 1-15 spending was $9,246,618.70 (or $26,000/hr).

The RNC is the money bags here. Its Oct. 1-15 spending: $45,189,239, less than a third of Obama's spending during the same period.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

and then there is this...

The New York Times is reporting that McCain Campaign makeup stylist cost $22,800 for the first two weeks of October. The stylist, Amy Strozzi, was apparently paid more than any other McCain staffer during that period. She beat out Mr. Scheunemann, who received $12,500 in the first half of October, and Ms. Wallace, who got $12,000. It's too bad though that whenever Sarah speaks Amy’s work is completely undone.

Times article linked from the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/24/palins-makeup-artist-is-m_n_137513.html

Libratine (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

Remember 2000 & 2004 when the republicans were raking it in & spending it fast? I hope so 'cause now they're going to say the dems are buying votes. 11 days is too much. Everyone, go vote so we can stop watching polls, talking heads, and ignorant people trying to make news ie Ms. Todd & her fake attack. I'm afraid it's too late for me. I've become addicted to MSNBC!

Sandy, IN (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

Good. I'm glad he is doing everything he can to make sure this election will not be close enough to get stolen once again.

Kudos to the grassroots style of raising funds. People donating as little as $5 feel proud that they've contributed to the cause.
Obama was able to put people where Kerry wasn't even able to compete such as Virginia. He has 50 offices compared to Kerry who merely had 2 in the state.

That is money well spent and put in the right place. Not spent on someone's wardrove. It was actually used for ground work, commercials and simply responding to McCain's attempt at swiftboat and all the lies and distortion.

McCain's biggest problem is that Obama's camp have the financial strength to do battle against his mis information. And they know how to use it. That's good management skill folks.

MSNBC I sure hope you post this comment for a change.

Joyce, NY (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

And it is an irrefutable fact, undeniable, no matter how much lying or spinning those in Republican party want to do - that Obama's money is coming in the form of small donations from a bunch of donors.

$84 is the average donation.

Now that is grassroots campaigning!

Fix The Broken (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:33 PM)

the dems need the money to stop the smear campaign of the republicans. it is time to throw out the republicans. they created this economic mess by deregulating the markets and giving money to the wealthy. it is time to have the dems who fight for the middle class.

voter (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

I make $8.40 and hour. Don't you wish both candidates could live on that? LOL But I guess the 'media' would be out big bucks!

Dennis O'Connell, Aiken, SC (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:36 PM)

Okay, so, what's the point? Obama has a lot of supporters that sincerely believe in his candidacy and even though times are hard, we are willing to financially support him so that he can continue to run a good campaign. There was the new release that Palin's make-up artist was paid $22800 the first part of OCT. That along with the $150,000 is a lot of dough, Joe the Plumber could buy a lot of Drano with that kind of money.
What is the story behind the story about the girl in PA who lied and said that an Obama supporter beat her and carved a B in her face? That is more interesting than this.

MC314, Saint Louis, MO (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:39 PM)

I make $10 an hour and am one of the millions who have happily donated to Obama to make his spending blitz possible. I consider it a wise investment in the future of our country.

Katie, AZ (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:39 PM)

We the small people of America approve this spending

Houston, TX for Obama (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:39 PM)

Aren't you glad, Domenico, that Baack has been supported by the everyday, average American, like myself? I am. The money that he has spent comes from people just like me who send $10, $15, $25, $50 every chance they get. He doesn't have to count on the 177 former lobbyist that McFossil has involved in his campaign. He's used the money wisely; most of it having to counteract the lies and distortions from the right wing nuts running the McCain campaign. I don't care how much money he's gotten or spent; all I care about is getting him elected November 4th and it looks like we're right on track with THAT scenerio, too! Eat your heart out GOP for not supporting YOUR candidate as the Dems are supporting Barack!
Obama/Biden '08/'12

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:40 PM)

So we're blaming BHO because he has more money to spend and has run a better campaign? Scraping the bottom of the barrel again folks.

BHO did the right thing by opting out of federal campaign financing. He never said he wouldn't. What he said was he was willing to "sit and negotiate it with JM". They did that. They didn't agree and BHO decided to take it to the people. The people financed the campaign and the will work for the people. My family gives $10 because that's all we can afford. I know others who give $100 a month because that's what they can afford. And we did it! ONE HARD-EARNED DOLLAR AT TIME!

And he's spent OUR money wisely. No high paid make up artist and shopping sprees. I love it!

kathy, charlotte (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:41 PM)

Good! As an Obama supporter and donor I DEMAND!!! that as much money be spent as necessary to defeat McPalin and the GOP. Infact here is another $50.00. Run up the score!
No Quarter!
No Prisoners!
Montana - Obama +4

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:41 PM)

Thanks for the reminder; I need to send another $50 to Sen. Obama.

Rob (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:42 PM)

I make 9.50 an hour. It's not enough and I work 40 hours a week for a major hotel chain. Oh well. I do have company paid medical. Can't complain too much?

Danny, Portland OR (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:43 PM)

If the situations were reversed I'm sure the headline would be "Rich Republicans Trying to Buy the Election".

You'd think with all that money, and the nearly uniform support of the media outlets that Obama would be doing better in the poles.

While we're on the topic of fund raising, has anyone looked into allegations of illegal campaign contributions coming in from Asia and the Middle East?

Michael McCarthy Nashua NH (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:43 PM)

Enough to be one of those giving money to obama so the people can decide the vote not the media and corporations. Just like the government makes more off the people in taxes, a wise candidate can as well and it then supports this level of spending to accomplish our desire to take our country back.

Spend Obama Spend, thats why we the people donated to you. Poor corporations don't have enough heads to match the grassroots economic potential of americans under current campaign finance laws.

we're spending for our beliefs rather than just arguing for them. The establishment should be very afraid this is the election the people are paying for truly and voluntarily.

Adam, California (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:45 PM)

And worth every penny. American citizens sent Sen. Obama that money to spend on getting his message out so that he could win the election. My husband and I are poor, but we have had a rule since July -- every time we get money -- Obama gets money. Very meager amounts, but it's the principle that counts. We want and need him to win. I'm delighted with his stewardship and steadfast campaign. If we could give more, we would.

Fired up. (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:45 PM)

I make enough to continue to contribute to the Obama campaign. I have given to a campaign for the first time this year, and I am glad about it. It's good to see my drip has added to this huge budget. I would be disappointed if he didn't spend it to get elected.

Charles Goodwin, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:47 PM)

lets pitch in and keep it flowing Obamaniacs...

Donate what you can... even if it's just a $1.

just the facts (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:47 PM)

And I wish Obama could spend more to defend himself from the lies that McCain spouts in his ads. How about a ratio comparing negative ad dollars? I think McLiar and Failin would be leading there.

Randy, Windsor, PA (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:48 PM)

Just think how it would be if Barack did not have my money to contradict all of the lies that the Republicans told. Yes, McCain took public money, but by golly, Barack had MY money, all $25.00 at a time, and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Only 101/2 more days, America, and then maybe they will shut up!!!! Hey, did you hear that the most expensive staffer for McCain was the make-up artist for Palin???? I did not see that it helped. And by golly, that too was my money!!!Was it $22,800 for TWO WEEKS? Good job, Johnny.

gsc,Shawnee (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:49 PM)

So by writing this article are you trying to say I, as a contributor to Obama Campaign, should be appalled? shocked? dismayed? at the amount of money he is spending??? HELL NO. . .I contributed to his campaign, as did many others, so he would have enough money to blow away any Republican candidate!! It is not Obama's fault that McCain basically had no choice but to use public funding because he knew there was no way his campaign would be able to get more than that from other donators to his campaign. . .GO Obama. . spend that money and beat the Reupblican machine!!!!!

Democratburiedin UTAH (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:51 PM)

Thats what happens when you are the next great president waiting to happen.

Obama is the next step in this country's and the world's social evolution. McCain is such a fine example of the old school, white, old man who feels entitled by his gender and color to run things. Palin is another fine icon of what the old version of society expected from women; "be beautiful and do what your told".

We supporters of Obama are the ones who are bringing in the new vision. We are putting down the ailing horse. The only difference is that the ailing horse has been a real pain in the ass in its last days and we are only too happy to put a bullet in it.

Yes... "May you live in interesting times"

BamaBoy (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:51 PM)

Looks like more people want to donate to make Obama president than they do John McCain!!!!
Nice work America!!!

Get out of Colorado McCain, you are not welcome!!! (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:52 PM)

Nothing new here the RNC has been making more money an hour than the rest of America has for 8 years. It is time for real change America. Vote early.

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Friday, October 24, 2008 4:57 PM)

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