US-Wahlkampf Dear Jürgen....

Auszüge aus der E-Mail-Korrespondenz zwischen Präsidentschaftskandidat Barack Obama und ZEITmagazin-Redakteur Jürgen von Rutenberg

Betreff: WG: You vs. George W. Bush (29. Mai 2008)
 
Jürgen --

Right now you have a unique opportunity to go head-to-head with George W. Bush.

This week, John McCain and George Bush gathered behind closed doors, away from the cameras, to raise money for McCain's campaign.

McCain used Bush to raise a reported $3.5 million from a group of about 500 Republican contributors.

That's a lot of money that will undoubtedly be used to attack us and make the case to continue George Bush's failed policies.

But I have an idea about how we can match it. And we don't need George Bush.

Right now, someone who has already given once to the campaign is ready to give again -- but only if you make your first donation right now.

If you take the next step and decide to own a piece of this campaign, that supporter will double your gift.

You'll see the name and hometown of the person who matched your donation. And you can even choose to exchange a personal note about why you've decided to support a different kind of politics.

Double your impact -- your donation of $25 will equal $50 for our cause.

Now is the perfect time to make your first donation:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7c676c2a260d54ca/DlcBsg/VEsE/> 

As the presumptive nominee of his party, John McCain has had a three-month head start to build his campaign. In that time, he's made his fundraising strategy clear.

In the words of one reporter, the gala fundraiser with Bush was "part of McCain's delicate effort to find the balance between embracing an unpopular president and taking advantage of his huge continuing draw with well-heeled Republicans."

We'll see more of this dance in the weeks and months ahead, but we already know the steps.

As we prepare to take on John McCain, now is our first chance to show that a grassroots movement of people giving only what they can afford can go toe-to-toe with the Bush-McCain fundraising machine.

And with the last three contests of the Democratic primary coming up in the next five days, the resources we're building right now are an urgent necessity.

Help build our movement by making a matching donation today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7c676c2a260d54ca/DlcBsg/VEsF/> 

John McCain can run from the cameras, but he can't hide from the fact that he's aiming to continue George Bush's policies for a disastrous third term.

Let's show that we're ready to take him on.

Thank you,

Barack

Betreff: WG: It's our time (4. Juni 2008)
 
Jürgen --

I'm about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

It's been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.

I want to make sure you understand what's ahead of us. Earlier tonight, John McCain outlined a vision of America that's very different from ours -- a vision that continues the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.

But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past and bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

It's going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.

Thank you for everything you've done to get us here. Let's keep making history.

Barack

Betreff: Hillary Clinton (7. Juni 2008)


Jürgen --

Hillary Clinton announced her support for our campaign today.

Senator Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.

Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her.

Senator Clinton will be invaluable to our efforts to win in November, and I look forward to campaigning alongside her to bring this country the change it so desperately needs.

Hillary and her supporters are joining us at an urgent moment.

It's going to require a new level of commitment from every single one of us to build a national campaign in the general election.

And we're going win this election the right way -- by growing our grassroots network of ordinary people giving only what they can afford.

Will you help by making your first donation today?

If you give right now, a previous donor has agreed to match your gift, doubling its impact. Help us reach our goal of 20,000 new donors by making a matching donation today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7cc6408a2567c7ef/v1aDA3/VEsH/>

It's time for all of us to come together to take on John McCain in the general election. John McCain offers another four years of George Bush's policies, which our country simply cannot afford.

To win, we must continue building an unprecedented organization in all 50 states. And that will only happen if we all work together, side-by-side.

Thank you for joining this movement and supporting a new kind of politics.

Together we can do more than just win an election. Together we can change this country, and we can change the world.

And we are honored to have Hillary Clinton at our side as we do it.

Barack

       

Betreff: WG. Declaring our independence (21. Juni 2008)

Jürgen --

Since we announced our decision not to accept taxpayer funds for the general election, tens of thousands of people like you have come forward to declare their independence from a broken system.

This decision frees us to build a movement of millions of people giving whatever they can afford to a campaign that is truly reforming the way our political process works.

It also frees us to take our campaign for change to parts of the country where Democratic presidential candidates haven't spent too much time in the past.

Our first television ad of the general election season goes on the air today.

Sure, we're on the air in places like Ohio and Florida, the typical battleground states. But we're also on the air in North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska -- places that have emerged as competitive because of the unprecedented grassroots energy supporting our campaign.

These ads are supporting a 50-state ground operation that is being built right now by staff, volunteers, and thousands of Obama Organizing Fellows.

But we have our work cut out for us, and we need to grow this movement. Right now, you can declare your independence and help us run a campaign that is funded by the people and for the people.

If you make your first donation today, a fellow supporter is standing by to match your gift and double your impact. You can even choose to exchange a note with them and share why you are supporting this campaign.

Add your voice to our movement by making a matching donation now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d2121fffaa73587/ouhOmj/VEsE/>

Choosing not to accept these taxpayer funds was not an easy decision. I remain committed to fundamental campaign finance reform, and as president I will work to fix this broken system.

But we're facing opponents who have become masters at gaming the broken system as it stands today -- collecting money from Washington lobbyists, special interest PACs, and relying on so-called 527 groups that can take unlimited contributions to peddle lies and smears.

We have chosen to do things differently. You can see for yourself what kind of people own our campaign -- each of these folks have made a donation in the last 24 hours:

        Sandra from Tennessee:

        "I'm on disability and can't afford to give much but I figure the $10 is worth it. This is the first time in a long time that even the ones who can't afford it are giving, and are excited about a candidate and excited about the process."

        Monica from South Carolina:

        "The way that this primary and now this general election campaign have been funded truly gives the power to the citizens that are voting. This administration will owe the American people, not lobbyists and special interests groups."

        Mauve from Iowa:

        "THIS is true public financing. Getting average Americans from all backgrounds and tax brackets to care enough and to believe enough and to hope enough to give what they can."

        Tim from Texas:

        "Today, for the first time in my life, I contributed to a political campaign. I did so because I have always believed that true power rests with the people, if only those people could be organized. We have the power to take back our country from the special interest groups. There are more of us and when we act together, we are the force that can dictate the direction our country will take."

Join Sandra, Monica, Mauve, and Tim in declaring your independence. Make a matching donation today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d2121fffaa73587/ouhOmj/VEsF/>

Our fellow Americans are counting on us, and the stakes couldn't be higher -- we can't afford another term of George Bush's disastrous policies.

We have a responsibility to win this election and deliver for them.

But with Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs declaring that they will spend hundreds of millions to tear us down, it's up to us to stand up for the change we need.

More than 50,000 people declared their independence since our announcement. Support our campaign for change and declare your independence today to help reach our new July 4th goal of 75,000 donors.

https://donate.barackobama.com/match <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d2121fffaa73587/ouhOmj/VEsC/>

Thank you for everything,

Barack
 

Betreff: WG: Deadline: Midnight tonight (30. Juni 2008)

Dear Jürgen --

Deadline: Donate before midnight tonight <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d0d290f9b098438/UDsEfX/VEsH/> Tonight is the crucial financial reporting deadline for June.

Right now is the time to step up and own a piece of this campaign. I need your help to take on John McCain, the Republican National Committee, and the shady so-called 527 groups that are dedicated to attacking this campaign using millions of dollars in unregulated contributions.

Please support this movement by making a donation of $25 by Midnight tonight:

https://donate.barackobama.com/deadlinejune <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d0d290f9b098438/UDsEfX/VEsE/> 

Together we are setting a new standard for how presidential campaigns will be organized and funded.

For the first time in a generation, a presidential campaign is putting staff in every single state for the general election. Our staff and the Obama Organizing Fellows are getting to work right now to build on grassroots energy in all 50 states.

And -- unlike John McCain -- we're going to do it without contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs that have held too much power for far too long in this country.

By putting our organizational and financial future in your hands, it's clear who will be responsible for our success and who we will be accountable to in the White House: the people.

But in order to match the resources of our opponents, we're going to have to do more and get more people involved than ever before. Your donation of $25 right now will help make that happen:

https://donate.barackobama.com/deadlinejune <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/7d0d290f9b098438/UDsEfX/VEsF/> 

I'm counting on you to take the lead and build this campaign.

The stakes couldn't be higher, and every American who hopes for something better from their government is counting on us.

Thank you,

Barack