Sen. Barack Obama addresses a crowd in Madison, Wis. this week. AP Photo/Andy Manis
by John McCormick
As Sen. Barack Obama’s supporters awoke today, they were greeted with an e-mail that seeks to paint the Illinois Democrat as an underdog against a candidate he is increasingly calling out by name.
Under the headline “Hillary’s Money,” Obama is asking for a quick couple million from his backers.
“The situation here is simple,” he states in the e-mail. “We are $2.1 million behind. We must close that gap right now. I need you to make a donation of $50.”
The message arrives as news organizations report that Sen. Hillary Clinton has slightly more money in the bank for the primary battle than Obama, $35 million to $32 million.
Although Obama’s campaign has repeatedly sought to diminish the notion that Clinton is the front-runner in the Democratic race, this message seemingly paints her as just that.
“Washington lobbyists have chosen their candidate and are determined to provide her with an overwhelming advantage, but you can even up this contest,” Obama writes. “In the face of the most entrenched political machine in Democratic politics, I believe a movement of ordinary Americans can change our country.”
The Tribune’s report on third-quarter Federal Election Commission filings is linked here and watch the Swamp for updates throughout the day.