There is something very fishy with the way the Obama campaign collects money from its wealthiest contributors. In many cases Obama receives 2300 for the general, 4600 for the primary and then refunds the contributor 2300 dollars.

At first glance this seems like an accounting error, but its prevalent throughout Obama's contributions.

The immediate questions this brings up are:

Is this the reason for the record numbers that propelled him in the early caucus states?

Do these people cash their check from Obama?

Does the Obama campaign keep the interest earned in the interim?

The following is a list of celebrities that contributed this way. Below that is the web site where all this information is public.

Will Smith
Paul Newman
Ben Affleck ,
Marc Andreessen
Warren Buffet
Harry Connick, Jr
Geena Davis
Barry Diller
Paul Dooley
Michael Douglas

Jody Foster
Lou Gossett Jr. gave twice $2300
Topher Grace
Brian Grazer
Tom Hanks

Branford Marsalis
Greg Mathis gave twice $2300
Bette Midler
Alonzo Mourning

Adrian Pasdar gave $2800
Holly Robinson Peete
Tyler Perry
Sidney Poitier
Ellen Pompeo
Harold Ramis gave $3550
Chris Rock very unusual
Thomas Schlamme
James Sinegal
Jada Pinkett Smith

Heather Thomas
Isaiah Washington
Jann Wenner Rolling Stone
Joanne Woodward

http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/index.php?li=a

I find it funny to hear the republicans complain about Obama's spending. They claim he is buying the election by his overwhelming lead in fundraising.

But are the republicans not the party that always claim the free market should do its work, the ones that always claim they support free enterprise so that those who dare can win?

Yet when a democrat chooses to accept funding from a lot of individuals and raises an enormous amount of money from an equilly impressive amount of small donors that is suddenly a bad thing.

Besides being hyporites they have clearly strayed from their own dogma's. Maybe that is the reason they are getting a good old fashioned butt-whooping in these elections. But no, they will not even entertain the thought that this mess is of their own making, that is too ridiculous to even think about....

Amazing to see the money spent by the Democrates
first Hillary not giving up to Obama,
now Obama buying the voters (which are probably not people who suffer from the economic crises)

Obama should put his money were his mouth is, and not waste this another BS story which we have heard before anyway.

I see Sarah Palin wiil perfect to restore the American dream “for men and women in every state across this nation”
Sarah has new vision feture better than Obama, cause she has new spirit impression for every eternal live,
She's impressionist American women
and present for black american and american white throught american Faithfullness

She's record better than Obama to serve country every time,
no goes primetime
Her can identify what's Right and what's Wrong to bring a new direction and a new spirit for country first and the world.
She's record bring $ 16 million for alaska office
and much more from palin....

Obama : part of populer and part of celebrities.
Islamic militants, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ayers and Hugo Chavez:
They didn't like Bush but They like Obama

Question:
Could obama be always president (long live President) for keep Amarican save from above..?

Zeppo, I looked at the FEC receipt for Will Smith via the site you pointed at, and it is very clear that the amount at the bottom of the receipt, $4600, is a total for all the amounts he's contributed, some of which are itemized above on the receipt.

I also took a look at Lou Gossett, Jr. and it looks to me as if there may be some accounting of paper refunds of some donations to transfer them between accounts as may be the case for instance if a donation is given for the primaries and was not spent but is now used for the general election.

I don't think Obama is running a pyramid scheme, if you think that's what's happening. Or a wealth redistribution scheme from his mass fan base to the wealthy - a funny reversal of the clams that he's a socialist. It's certainly implausible that he could buy the number of votes needed to win the primaries let alone the general election by this sort of "redistribution".

Another example of ingenuity – An examle of thinking outside of the box as very few have before done this. A creative President is exactly what America needs during a major economic downturn.

As to CNN not airing the 30 min "infomercial". I think that CNN is now enjoying its new found relationship with the McCain/Palin ticket. It is obvious that you were desperate to secure interviews with them and now that McCain/Palin cannot afford to blank CNN any more (need all the spin they can get), you would like their continued business. Even Fox News aired it – As an Internation News Network – you've let your viewers abroad down. But you now have the McCain/Palin ticket just where you want them – needing you. Forget you obligations to wider audience – bet you won't post this.

The 30 minutes did not contain one second of negative campaigning. Probably one reason why Americans overwhelmingly view Obama in a positive way and McCain negatively. I am a Republican (among a great many) proud to support Obama/Biden.

The voice of the Fat Lady can be heard across the land – John and his lady will return home empty handed.

Philip Machanick re your comment

I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much evidence you were to provide you would not be able to change the opinions of people like Zeppo who see conspiracies/terrorists/traitors/socialists etc etc everywhere. Your heart is in the right place and it was certainly a valiant try.

Zeppo, that is interesting stuff, presented without bias, but i hardly think it morally bankrupt. They're personal donors who just want to give as much as they can, while corps raise unlimited funds for the RNC so they can run ads on McCain's behalf.. the end result is that more and more people get to see what the campaigns want them to see, and i generally think that's a good thing.

Its amazing the way obama is taking his campeign it shows people like him and are ready to give him there vote.and i see him as a man that will bring america together.GO OBAMA...

This is the point that we all should know exactly the type of man Obama is if appointed the next U.S President. He is well organised, Steady, Cool, Positive, He is i think the type of man being needed in this Present modern World to move with time. His 30 minutes Ads, is so well Organised, that I now really know him better now. Those contributions and Funds is a Foundation of America's future. The question is , for the past years how does the World think of America including its Allies.? I have been travelling a lot and America really needs a Steady and Positive minded Leader to bring back America's Hope.It is time to put away RACISM,PARTISM, NEGATIVE ADs, and try to build America again.

I gave my stimulis check to Obama & Democrat Party for this election.
It is the best investment in America. Getting this country back on track from this 8 years of wreckage by the GOP is a must. I can go without
things to help this cause for America.

Its amazing the way obama is taking his campeign it shows people like him and are ready to give him there vote.and i see him as a man that will bring america together.GO OBAMA...wale nigeria

This is funny- please download and UNDERSTAND FEC rules before posting. Geesh! What a waste of time.

As an aside, even FOX said that they did not delay the game. The shuffled the pregame. No one is talking about the NFL changing the start of a game for the RNC in September.

The ad was very tastefully done and was only done in an attempt to connect to undecided voters. The best part about it was there was no mention of McCain or mug sligging. Obama is a new kind of leader who will bring this country back to where it used to be. A good Economy and Well Respected in the World. All you haters need to do is look at where this country has gone the last eight years and you're know that McCain is not the one. Simple. Very Simple.

I thought Barack Obama's presentation was very good. It showed
how this race is about the American people, not the candidate,
except how he will represent us.
I imagine some republicans are embarressed, ashamed, sad
and disappointed about their parties campaign. It will go down
as the sleeziest in our countries history.Their trying to divide
our country in their rallies with hate, anger, fear and unrest
is the saddest.
And, now they are trying to suppress our votes.
ENOUGH!!!!

Philip and Zeppo, no matter what you say he has been doing good. Whether it's the money he raised or his knomledge he is getting the Oval office. Too late to dig for red meat and attack

OBAMA ABAMA ABAMA OBAMA .

NOMAcCAIN

Let's not lose sight of the fact of the matter is that in the history of the world, minorities have always had to work at least twice as hard as their caucasian counterparts to succeed in any profession. African and asian americans, hispanics etc. though not willing to acknowledge this aspect of our daily lives know it's the plain truth.

Why are we still discussing this race as tightening or even having the possibility of going Republican?

Why is it that even after seeing one of america's finest candidates in action – erudite, classy, thoughtful, heck just plain brilliant, ran one of the most disciplined campaign in history, we are still anxious?

People it's just the Racism. He needs every penny he can muster to counter hatred, bias and prejudice. We know that – deep down in our hearts – give us a break CNN about his money prowess that you are trying so hard to turn into a negative......

The story should be how he was able to inspire so many to dole out their hard earned money during these times..he's just SPECIAL ...

I find it very suspect that CNN claimed to take the high raod and not show Obama's informercial – but instead let McCain havee 30 minutes of free airtime on Larry King – where not one of McCain's outlandish lies were questioned. I hope others will join me in switching cannels – CNN is clearly as biased as Fox. Waht a shame!
Bet this will not get posted.

Zeppo . . . Grow Up!

It is very sad that the jealousy and greed of Republicans is coming out as they complain about the money that Barack Obama has raised. Although ALL, again, ALL, campaigns probably get suspicious contributions, it is clear that the vast majority of low to middle class people have been the main contributors to Senator Obama, and that is where his strength is coming from. A ton of small donations praying for change in this country.

To those who are so concern about the amount of $ Obama has risen. What’s wrong with that? People want change and therefore, we are donating every penny we can to elect the person who will bring the changes this country desperately needs. Did you all forget why Bush was able to fight hard against Algore? That was because he had all the oil companies and the richest people were paying for the best lawyers to fight for him. Democrats learned from that, and this will not happen again.

Is it my imagination or is CNN showing a lot more clips of the McCain/Pail ticket. You guys have hardly showed anything of Barack/Biden ticket today so far.
May

Zeppo, if I were you, I'd be more concerned about all the federal lobbyist and PAC money that John McCain's accepted. The fact of the matter is, he's sold his soul to the devil to stand a competitive chance financially.

We may not all agree with these celebrities' perspectives, but at least they aren't going to receive some kind of preferential treatment at the expense of the average American in exchange for their contributions.

This big election must not be about small things. Let's talk issues, please.

IS IT MY IMAGNATION THAT CNN IS SHOWING MORE CLIPS OF THE MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET. OVER THE PAST DAY OR SO THEY HAVE MANAGED TO SHOW MCCAIN/PALIN MORE OFTEN AND LONGER LIVE EVENTS. YOU GUYS ARE BIASED TOWARDS MCCAIN.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE FAIR BUT DOWN TO THE WIRE YOU HAVE MADE YOUR CHOICE.

It is cleared that the Republicans are now jealous of Senator Obama due the fact that their running mates are losing. The American people do not want the same Government runs by the Republican that's what got us into this crisis. Senator Obama never sign any paper regarding the public funds claimed by the old man lier Mcshame. Go to fact check to find out the truth about this claim. Obama/Baiden all the way...

Here's a question...who do you want in charge of the nation's checkbook, someone who uses the donations of his supports to effectivley get his message to the American public or someone who uses the donations of his supports to buy cloths for his running mate? Which of the two do you think is more fiscally responsible?

It is interesting to me that no one mentions that Obama had said he, like McCain, would accept public financing and then decided against it when he saw he could raise enough money to buy the presidency. It is a shame that the office is for sale but that is the reality of it.
I am opposed to government intervention in almost every area but I do not believe we will ever have a fair election until the government establishes how much money each viable candidate can spend and, if you are shown to have spent more you are eliminated from the competition.
No one would owe their soul to anyone and we might just get a few honest people to run for office.

if i was a white person and you present the two candidates before me. i'd choose Obama 100 times over mc cain because it is obvious that the only thing he seems to be hanging on right now is his skin which happens to be white. mc cain lost this campaign a long time ago. he is not a politician

He talks the talk. Lets see if he walks the walk. Obama will have no excuse for not implementing his promisses since he will have the house and senate behind him. So, if he does even half of what he promises, it is still better that what we have now or with McCain.

WHY NOT ?

Atleast the guy got something to say !!

or would you listen to : either the “evil” from Austin Powers – McCain

Or the Addams Family – Palin

Unfortunately Larry King cannot be expected to question his guests – regardless of the subject or person. He will say, wait a minute, and then cave like a melting snowcap.

It is unfortunate but you might as well have a list of questions filled out in advance. When McCain says things that are untrue (just about everything he says lately), he has sold his soul.

Only the very shallow believe he put his country first in selecting Palin. Even her aids say she is not good at "process questions" and that leaves only a demagogue of ideas. Very similar to Bush, believing in ones own righteousness and ignoring the facts.

I pray that "real americans" (lol) boot her back to a cold Alaskan winter.

I wish Obama would stop wasting money and add it to the National Debt whether or not he becomes president...afterall, that is CHANGE we need. Someone who actually wants to contribute.

I noticed his tax plan would allow all senators and Representatives and VPs and Presidents...conveniently would get a tax reduction. Yeah, that's patriotic.

Perhaps the main reason the CNN would not show Obama last night is that they are owned by the very conservation and very tight a– Ted Turner who would never support anything other than what would immediately be of interest to him. Remember, it is all about Ted!

“Everybody Should Think It Over!!!”

I am keeping my eye on almost every program related to this election on TV for the last few months. It’s closing time now and both the candidates also doing their final campaign. So it’s time for me to share my views.

McCain-Palin : Mr.McCain undoubtedly is a good man, patriotic, experienced and he is serving as a Senator for long but he doesn`t know how to play with words the way Mr.Obama does. He is still very much on this race when the whole United States and the whole world is supporting Obama and I admire and salute him for this. I think, he should get a chance to serve the country as President at least once. There is another reason, Sara Palin, since she is part of republican politics now and she is the future of republican party, no matter what other people say but truth is truth and this is a real chance to taste her whether she can be the President of United States in future.

Obama-Biden : Almost all the media (Newspaper, TV Channels), almost all the media personnel endorsed him and apart from their support, he also bought them for 30 minutes prime time and the whole world witnessed that. Obama is endorsed by the big shot (Warren, Oprah, Powell, many big republicans too. He got almost $700 million and plenty will be left over, there is no room to spend now. He has association with few peoples who are controversial figure and he got proper explanation (not required though coz he will get pass by media). He is very young, nice talker and is about to write new history for this country. He has got the support of every race, religion, immigrants, no matter legal or illegal in America along with 50% white Americans. Everything seems ok for him but the real question is, he is not experienced enough and American people shouldn’t vote for him because of his nice talks and all the beautiful dreams he is giving people to dream. One thing, I think, American people should see whether he can survive or not if he doesn’t win the election. If he doesn’t win this time, then to get the same ticket next time, he has to fight with H.Clinton again (will he be able to win over H.Clinton that time??) and if he somehow manages to win over H.Clinton in 2012 then he may face Sara Palin as competitor (will he be able to stand against Sara Palin in 2012?? In 2012, Sara Palin will make history, that’s for sure and she will eat Obama alive). If Mr. Obama doesn’t win this time and if he can carry on his career in politics and if he can get the ticket again by wining over H.Clinton then Mr. Obama will be a great President of United States and he will definitely make history, I can bet on that. But this time, at this delicate moment when United States is going through worst economic crisis plus two big wars and war against terrorism, people of United States shouldn’t take this risky move.

Campaign finance reform never happened, obviously.
Actual reform occurs when a candidate cannot buy an election, as Obama has.
The campaign should not be allow to run for more than 20 days, that max cost should be no more than $20 million...more than that is waste...
The candidates must not be allowed to lie ! I see, and hear far too much of that.....
I am so disgusted with this situation, that I will vote for "none of the above"..

It doesn't matter how much money a man can raise. It all boils down to the fact that Obama is the better candidate and is being supported because of his stance on the issues that are important to the American people. McCain and his followers have done nothing but criticize Democrats for the past 2 years and it is simply coming back to haunt them. It's about time the United States of America united and took a stand. The Republicans have been trying to divide and conquer for the past 20 years and I think the American people are finally starting to wake up and see what is really going on. Thank God!

Remember the Truman-Dewey election?
Dewey (Rep) was 100% sure to be elected, Truman (Democrat) won in 1948
This time McCain-Palin ticket could help Mr Obama learn a lesson

Senator Obama will most likely win. You can't have the news media, actors and actresses, foriegn leaders, and 95% of the black vote and possibly lose? The only pieces missing for a clean sweep is that darn socialistic policy, His questionable associations, and the fact that no matter what questions that is asked of him, he sidesteps and goes on a long story about himself or someone he knows; and the original question gets lost in the words.

I find it hard to believe what's been happening on CNN for the past three days,i don't know what u guys are playing at but be careful not to destroy the legacy you have built over the years on objective,balanced and unbiased journalism.McCain will not thank you for doing his dirty job

" The sun shines for everybody"

If Mr. Obama wins these elections,i think he
will keep the "dark clouds" away for a long time .

Obama was hand picked by God for such a time as this. He will win this election and all will be marvelled.

We are inspired by Obama here in the British Virgin Islands. We believe that majority of the people in America never thought that Obama would have reach this far and now they are trying to sabatage him, even the media.

GO OBAMA!!!!!!

I agree with Sue from KC – strange that CNN said no to Obama but then pressented a very boring chit chat between McCain and Larry King, like 2 old men who looked like they were sitting in a retirement home. The only thing missing, the rocking chairs.

I watched Obama's infomertial and found it BORING!! deeply BORING.
He wanted to sell us the idea he can help all those four families but my question is: really???? He will be a president, not a wish gene or a magician. I don't trust he'll do what he says because most of the decisions required to bring change about depend on the congressmen, not on the president.

The infomercial did not help me make my mind for him.

Also, I think using all that money to pay an add is ridiculous. It is a huge waste. 600 millions in a stupid campaign is unacceptable. Mandatory limits should be set. We cannot keep on wasting money this way.

Seems to me Mr. Obama has some explaining to do. he wants to solve the Nations problems while he let's his "dear" relatives live in poverty. The following is from the Times of London.

"Barack Obama has lived one version of the American dream that has taken him to the steps of the White House. But a few miles from where the Democratic presidential candidate studied at Harvard, his Kenyan aunt and uncle, immigrants living in modest circumstances in Boston, have a contrasting American story.

Zeituni Onyango, the aunt so affectionately described in Obama's best-selling memoir "Dreams fFrom My Father," lives in a disabled-access flat on a rundown public housing estate in South Boston.

A second relative believed to be the long-lost "Uncle Omar" described in the book was beaten by armed robbers with a "sawed-off rifle" while working in a corner shop in the Dorchester area of the city. He was later evicted from his one-bedroom apartment for failing to pay $2,324.20 in bills, according to the Boston Housing Court.

The press has repeatedly rehearsed Obama's extraordinary odyssey, but the other side of the family's American experience has only been revealed in parts. Just across town from where Obama made history as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, some of his closest blood relatives have confronted the harshness of immigrant life in America.

In his book Obama writes that "Uncle Omar" had gone missing after moving to Boston in the 1960s a quarter-century before Obama first visited his family in Kenya. Aunt Zeituni is now also living in Boston, and recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew's presidential bid from a work address in the city.

Speaking outside her home in Flaherty Way, South Boston, on Tuesday, Onyango, 56, confirmed she was the "Auntie Zeituni" in Obama's memoir. She declined to answer most other questions about her relationship with the presidential contender until after the November 4 election.

"I can't talk about it, I just pray for him, that's all," )she said, adding: "After the 4th, I can talk to anyone."

(I wonder why?

We have an economy screwed up because of a theft ridden financial system by a Stock market croupiers, folks are losing houses, jobs and savings, the sheep like middle class have been shered again and the socalled experts are wondering if a potential leader has the experience to lead. If Mcain and Paling are supposed to be the best that the GOP has to offer then the education system in the United States is pathetic. Wisdom. caring, ethical planning, seem to be replaced by greed.
Mcain with a aristocratic upbringing gained his fame from dropping bombs and napalm on peasants in an illegal war in Viet Nam,if he had landed in my proximity under same circumsatnces he would have been shot as a war criminal.He is luck to be alive and should try to prevent wars but he has that streak of arrogance that kind of military mind. Eisenhower would have been embarrased by Mcain.
I have been to Alaska and Palin would have been an embarrassment and if she had any true knowledghe of religion she would not have espoused those unchristian like statements in her public speeches Pehaps Palin has not understood the phrase of "love thy neigbour".
Greed has destroyed many empires of the past, I wonder if it is about to destroy the American Empire.

Palin has no experience and you endorse her! She haven't left her state to win the presidency. We are at war because of the greed of our current party. Do you really think we are at war because of anything other than Bush to juice as much money from the american people as he and his friends can. Come on how can one plane fly off course in the direction of another city and crash into the tower and get away with it and oh here comes another. Right! Wake up america. Milk is almost $5.00 a gallon, something our children really need to grow healthy and strong. Oh I forgot master has tax us atleast half of that! I want change I want the opportunity to wake up and pay my bills and be able to put food on my table. I am not racist have friends of all nationalities and all are middle class americans living just like me. Looking up and observing the rich getting richer and the working class getting poor as hell.

Obama is the man we need. He is the right choice. Long Live President Obama!

Have never made a comment

Very weak presentationl. I'm sticking with McCain/Palin.

Mizan:

I agree with many of your points about McCain, I think he would've made a great republican leader if he were to have run in the past elections.

Your question though, on whether Obama could beat Palin in a 2012 presidential bid is absolutely ridiculous. The notion that Palin is even qualified to RUN for president is absurd and she has been both my governer and mayor. The only reason she is in the position now is because she was chosen by McCain to shake his campaign up, to give it a new "fresh" look. His choice had absolutely nothing to do with improving the strength and diversity of knowledge and experience to his campaign, but only to bump up his ratings in a time that his campaign was sliding.

You say yourself in regards to Obama: "the real question is, he is not experienced enough and American people shouldn’t vote for him because of his nice talks and all the beautiful dreams he is giving people to dream" ...... which are precisely the same reasons people back Palin, because of her "charm", good looks and folksy demeanor. None.... NONE of which even remotely qualify one for the spot of president..... or even presidential nominee for that matter.

Palin finds herself in the position she is in now because ONE person and ONE person only had to elect her and that was McCain… for the sheer propulsion of his own campaign. Obama, on the other hand, was elected by the PEOPLE of this nation .... and to quote you again" He has got the support of every race, religion, immigrants, no matter legal or illegal in America along with 50% white Americans." That alone should answer who really deserves to be in the position they are in now.

Mizan, I don't think you were keeping your eyes on anything. You basically have a favourite and you align your arguments to support it. You compare Palin with Obama? Even if its true that Obama has no experience, he has shown an intelligence that surpasses some people who have been appointed US presidents. Common, this man has run one of the most successful campaigns in this generation.

How else do you know a leader? I'll tell you how. Someone who is not only smart but sorrounds themselves with smart people, not McCain and Sarah wink wink Palin.

Experience my you know what. See where W's experience got us.

Alll very interesting. To Mizan: Your views are astute and welcomed coming from someone for whom English is not your first language. However, better to risk on Obama than to be stifled by another four years under a repressive, stultified Republican regime compounded by the spectre of an ignorant Palin looming behind an aging President. What a "vrai" Caribou Barbie!

Sometimes I want people to think a bit deeper when they claim that McCain is experienced, Obama is inexperienced, thus McCain should be president. What does experience mean when your ideology, your actions, your policies will not benefit the country. I was reflecting on this issue the other day as I was thinking about a context that is very familiar to me- education. Imagine you were the principal of a school that believes in progressive education that prepares students to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, and innovators AND YOU NEED TO HIRE A NEW CURRICULUM DIRECTOR. Would you hire someone who had 20 years of experience but who believed in a rigid curriculum where kids didn't have to think at all? What if someone came along who had just graduated from a masters program with only 4 years of experience in the curriculum field but thought progressly and INTELLIGENTLY about educational matters. Wouldn't you pick the latter person for the director position?

My point is that I don't believe the McCain experience argument is sufficient. I want to know how his health policies would affect me, a person who's already had years of major podiatric issues. How will I be better off economically if one of his ideas for helping the middle is providing big tax breaks for big companies? Doesn't that sound like trickle down economics? Didn't we see that path fail? Why would I vote for him, if he talks about a Victory in Iraq more than he talks about bringing the troops home? Why would I think he would be consistent in his policies as president if he one day he uses the theme song of experience and the next he picks one of the most inexperienced and uninformed people as his running mate. and what has been most alarning to me: why would I choose McCain if his campaign time and time again only acknowledges the needs and "wonderfulness" of small midwestern town "joe the plumbers" and "Joe six-packs." Well, darn it, what the hell am I?! I'm just some "trying to survive this economic crisis, worried about my tomorrow, pinching my money, barely getting my mortgage payments in, small town but living near a big urban city in one of the most popular states chick".... I guess I don't matter!

I am convinced Obama will be the best candidate for presidency because he has stood his grounds all this time and addressed issues instead of acussations.
John and Sarah on the other hand have been fighting Obama as a person instead of addressing issues Americans want to hear. I know the best man will win come November 4, 2008 God willing and history will be made.
God bless America

Being both a student of history and a "political junkie", I can't help but notice the McCain/Pailin argument that; Obama is lacking the experiance to be President/commander-in-chief, is exactly the same argument put forward by Nixon in describing why J.F. Kenedy should not be elected President. I also wonder why Sen. McCain is upset that Sen. Obama decided to use his own (fundraised) money to support his campaign rather than using "federal dollars" (taxpayer money). Presumably Sen. McCain felt he would have access to more money from the taxpayer for his campaign than he would through political supporters and is now complaining his opponent should be castigated for not accepting "federal dollars". Guess this type of socialism (spreading the wealth around) is OK with the McCain campaign.

Zeppo and Mark must be Republicans.
The fact are plan and simple people are sick of republicans ruining the country. McCain said himself ..he wants taxes raised for anyone whose not rich . The republican party could care less about real people struggling in this economy. Enough with them trying to steal elections by blocking off
voting sites , I've seen it happen a the primary. And Still Obama stands!

Yes we are in the worst situation ever as a country , which is exactly why we need a new leader , with new ideas. No one wants 4 more years of Bush economics.
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of Crazy

Obama has the right to spend his campaign fund for his campaign.The purpose of the funds is for CAMPAIGNING. . Mc Cain funds was spent for dressing up Palin and her family. If the Mc Cain team did this foe Palin's personal expenses, it is possible that personal expenses of Mc Cain and his family are charged in their campaign fund. People donate to these candidates to be used to campaign and not to be used for PERSONAL expenses. Saying that after the campaign, they will donate the stuff.................please!!!!!!!people are not that stupid .

Recently, two white men were arrested and charged for intending to kill 100 blacks including senator B Obama. No reason was given for this either by the police, psychiatrists, or the criminal themselves. We are left to imagine and rightly so that this was only because they are blacks. What makes one human being think that he/she is better than the other just on the basis of race or colour?

I wish, Mr. Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart, the two accused, could give their blood in a glass and Senator Obama to do the same then ask them or any other person, for that matter, to identify a whiteman's blood and a blackman's blood. I am sure no one can differentiate the blood because all human beings are the same. What others especially blacks and other people have lacked and are still lacking is opportunity!!!!!!!!

This is what senator Obama wishes to bring to USA through fundamental change

Mizan, you silly fool. I'm just glad you're NOT American and therefore CAN"T vote, thankfully. McCain was once a respectable politician, but he's sold himself out this election. And how could anyone consider Palin more qualified when on more than one occasion in an interview, she could not correctly identify what the Vice-President's job actually is...let alone the job of the President. Palin is a clueless ditz. I pray the GOP doesn't steal another election and I may then consider repatriatizing myself IF Obama can fulfill his promises of Hope.

To André and other republicans and undecideds...

if the Republicans raised record-amounts of money on their campaign to try and win an election, would a Republican hold it against him? Doubt it... your comment will only be taken seriously by other republicans. I think spending the money to really try and open the minds of people across the nation is an honorable thing. It was well done. What is McCain doing?How is he proving to us that he wants to DO something when he wins. My overall thought (not having ever voted before) is that Obama is thinking PAST the election, while McCain is only worried about winning. Choosing someone like Sarah Palin is such an EXTREME decision that it is obvious to me it's reason of existence is to secure BASE voters, hoping that middle-America is still ultra-conservative and ultra-religious (which in many ways is the case). But why didn't he choose a good, moderate, smart republican to go beside him. That is what a president wants, someone he knows and can work with... That decision (as well as deciding to run a negative campaign) are ploys he's using to try and win and nothing else. What could Palin give the country, what expertise, leadership, intelligence could Palin emanate as vice-President... This is an issue that doesn't even seem to concern McCain... (or republicans in general)... McCain's campaign (and they now it) couldn't convince as many people as Obama's and that is the reason why one has raised money in such a way and the other has not. The record amount of money raised by Obama's campaign says something positive about Obama... (and so does the record attendances). These are not negative things. But everything is twistable... one can always try and make the good guy the bad guy. The reality is that McCain is not prepared to do more than be a puppet for his party and win the election, like Bush did. Obama wants to be president. He has the charisma and he has a plan. And if a lot of people endorse him (a record amount, may I again add) it means that he is the more popular one of the two, and I think that will be sufficient to make him win on Tuesday.

One of the easiest things in life is to criticize & blame others in hindsight for things gone wrong... isn't it abundantly clear that the financial crisis has been in the making for many, many years, & that the main culprit is GREED, greed of the lenders, borrowers, & everyone who thought they could something for nothing? It's time to admit that many Americans have long been living in a fantasy where home prices can only go up & people keep getting richer on paper so they can buy 3 gas-guzzling cars & 3 large-screen TV's & 3 of everything else (per person, that is).

If you choose to blame Bush alone for the financial crisis, then it's fair to blame Bill Clinton for 9/11... get a life, will you please.

As a voter concerned about the economy, America's place in the world, the well-being of my children & theirs in the future, I have only one choice & that is to vote for McCain-Palin. I hope & pray we will not see a liberal, left-leaning president who has only one concern & that is to grow the government thru increased taxes & increased intervention into people's lives & citizens' choices. Obama is a good speaker who has arguably run the better campaign, but oratory skills or hope alone are not reason enough to elect him president, not in mind or my conscience. In the near term, the future already looks bleak for America & our economy without raising taxes & penalizing those who work, companies that create jobs, normal citizens who want to invest for the future... the government has no business redistributing wealth the way Obama is planning to do, not in a free, capitalist system which has been an American hallmark from Day 1. Americans who feel denied the free services of government should go live in France or Russia or Scandinavia... even Canada.

And for those who think this election is about age or race or even change for change's sake, think again... it is about conserving the American way of life & America's place in the world. If you haven't already, please vote your conscience & keep America working & growing... vote for the one that puts Country First, vote John McCain.

Come-on my dear Americans,where is your reason and sense judgement going to?,is it not a little too obvious by now that Obama is no match for Mccain! i mean listen to reason,He has no negative ad,plus a vision far above and beyond anything mccain has talked about.Obama as a president is the best thing that can happen to America since the last eight years!!!

In my opinion we are missing the point here. His Grandmother is illegal and she is living off of our tax dollars in a project. He mentions her in his book and once again he is not aware of her legal status. So let’s put things in perspective he goes to a church for over 20 years and he is not aware of his pastor’s radical views, he is friends with folks that are radical believers about America and when it comes out he denies his knowledge of their views. How come this man who is running for the highest office of this country gets away without taking any responsibility for any of his past association? What is wrong with average Americans, Seems like they have lost their sense of rational thinking?
I am for change but I want a man of integrity that can stand up to his mistakes and accept rather than pulling the “I was not aware card” when exposed. (In that case what is different/Change from the man we have in office today George W. also does not admit to his mistakes)
Shame on Americans if we get blindsided in this craziness wave of “Change”. Change is needed but with change comes accountability and I don’t see that coming in Obama’s Change.
I hope America thinks objectively rather than emotionally when they Vote for this election because their Vote will impact the next 4 to 8 years of policy making of this Great Nation.

Obama knows very well when is the right time to do his right thing.
I see he will be a good president. So like a businessman is also a customer too...he knows what we need, he is so near to the public...
so near to us. Not like Mccain..he is so near to the up up there....

The 'change' has come for America. Such a change should come for other democratic countries throughout the seven continents.