Who's Really Backing Barack Obama?

CBS Evening News: Obama Says 90 Percent Of His Donations Are Small, But He's The Biggest Fundraiser Ever

(CBS)  If it seems that you're seeing a lot more of Sen. Barack Obama on TV, there's a good reason. He's raised a lot more money than Sen. John McCain - and since clinching the nomination in June, he's outspent McCain better than two-to-one. So, where did Obama get that kind of cash? CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson Follows the Money.

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Early on, both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain promised to limit their fundraising - but Obama reversed that pledge when he won his party's nomination.

Now he ranks as the greatest political fundraiser of all time: More than $603 million, compared to $358 million for McCain.

Obama's broken another record: he's gotten more money than anyone in history from unidentified donors - with names like "Doodad," who lists his employer as "Loving" and has given more than $17,000 dollars - way over federal limits.

Obama has said: "Ninety percent of our contributions are from small donors."

And lots of Obama donors don't have to be disclosed at all under federal law because they gave less than $200.

McCain's posted his small donor list online - an imperfect list that has some cities listed as "anonymous." But Obama hasn't given any details at all about whom his small donors are, drawing extra criticism after he raised a record-shattering $150 million last month alone.

"The fact that the Obama camp has not provided more information about who these small donors are really run counter to his 'transparency' message," said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics.

And you might be surprised to hear who else besides those unnamed small donors is on the Obama team. Like McCain, Obama's corporate donor list looks like a Who's Who of the Wall Street collapse - except some have given more to Obama. Lots more.

"The Obama campaign has just vacuumed up the money in this cycle, specifically from Goldman Sachs, Obama has received over $740,000, as opposed to McCain's $220,000," Krumholz said.

Not to mention that the former head of Goldman Sachs, Robert Rubin, is Obama's chief economic advisor - and two current executives are bundling for him (David Heller and Bruce Heyman). "Bundlers" are mega-fundraisers who, critics say, get special access.
Another big Obama bundler is Citicorp's Michael Froman. Obama's even tapped him to help put together his new administration.

Obama has tripled McCain's haul from Lehman Brothers interests.

Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan Chase? More, more and lots more to Obama.

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See how the numbers match up and learn more about Obama and McCain's donors at Couric & Co.

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An Obama spokesman told us they've followed all federal rules, and gone above and beyond transparency requirements.

The election is still undecided, but the money race... it's not even close.

[freedomobama]

Obamas a rich man now lol

[charlie1000-2009]

When you have much money, you can buy the election.

[notfooled]

Until we outlaw campaign contributions of any kind, we are doomed to have government for sale to the highest bidder, whom will undoubtedly trade bribes for later favors.

[notfooled]

We need to outlaw campaign contributions of any kind, as many are simply outright bribes for future favor.

Until we take the money out of elections, we are forever doomed to government for sale to the highest bidder.

[notfooled]

We need to outlaw campaign contributions of any kind, as many are simply outright bribes for future favor.

Until we take the money out of elections, we are forever doomed to government for sale to the highest bidder.

[raheem44]

It was revealed today that McCain is the leader of a fanatical Muslim group known as the Sword of Islam. This group, which originated in the Jewish section of Saudi Arabia, has just formed a new terrorist group with McCain as its leader. The nefarious members of this new group, known as Baby Jihadists, have devised a diabolic plan to kill innocent Americans. First they place orphan babies in adoption agencies in an attempt to have them adopted. Once they are adopted and brought to America they set up vast undercover networks dedicated to the overthrow of America as we know it.

These babies are not ordinary babies. McCain teaches these babies to poop their drawers as he does himself. Once their drawers are full of poop, you cannot tell if it is poop or a bomb. That%u2019s the problem, because these are baby suicide bombers. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT attempt to change these diapers. Once you pull a pin, it%u2019s all over: SPLAT. And should you be hit by flying *****, blame their leader, John McCain.

[gotravel1]

"When the chacter of a man is not clear to you,look at his friends". Japanese Proverb

[raheem44]

Attention: All red-blooded and blue-blooded Americans. Please stay alert: I have recently received verified information that McCain is a member of the notorious terrorist group known as: The Sword of Islam. This nefarious organisation is known to be involved in creation of a new and more deadly terrorist group: "Baby Bombers for McCain." They may appear as ordinary babies, but don''t be fooled. If you should come upon two or more babies with obviously full diapers, DO NOT APPROACH. Instead, call your nearest HAZ-MAT and/or bomb disposal patrol. While these may appear to be ordinary babies, they are not. They in fact are member of a dangerous baby terrorist organisation. These babies are terrorist of the worst sort. Innocent people with intent to assist the babies by changing their diapers are in immediate peril. These babies: The Seed of Islam, are in fact, suicide bombers. It is impossible to tell of the diapers are full of bombs or doo doo. Removal of one pin will set off the bomb and the next thing you know, 72 virgins will be corrupting you.

[jmedis]

Congratulations on this article. Would have been even more apporopriate if it had been published much earlier and then updated. As you point out, Sen. Obama claims most of his money comes from small donors and it turns out most of that is from donors that contributed less than $200 so they don''t have to be identified. If Sen. Obama is truly getting that kind of support from legitimate small donors one would think he would be very proud of that and showing that list to anyone who would look at it. Looks to me that Sen. Obama has raised more funds than all his opponents put together, both primary and general elections? Is this someone who truly understands middle America?

[jmedis]

Congratulations on this article. Would have been even more apporopriate if it had been published much earlier and then updated. As you point out, Sen. Obama claims most of his money comes from small donors and it turns out most of that is from donors that contributed less than $200 so they don''t have to be identified. If Sen. Obama is truly getting that kind of support from legitimate small donors one would think he would be very proud of that and showing that list to anyone who would look at it. Looks to me that Sen. Obama has raised more funds than all his opponents put together, both primary and general elections? Is this someone who truly understands middle America?

[jmedis]

Congratulations on this article. Would have been even more apporopriate if it had been published much earlier and then updated. As you point out, Sen. Obama claims most of his money comes from small donors and it turns out most of that is from donors that contributed less than $200 so they don''t have to be identified. If Sen. Obama is truly getting that kind of support from legitimate small donors one would think he would be very proud of that and showing that list to anyone who would look at it. Looks to me that Sen. Obama has raised more funds than all his opponents put together, both primary and general elections? Is this someone who truly understnds middle America?

[memerider]

Obama''s a politician. And he''s spent his political career positioning himself to step on the next rung up the ladder. And to do that, one has to have powerful and wealthy backers. That''s the game. Is anyone surprised at this?

[memerider]

Obama''s a politician. And he''s spent his political career positioning himself to step on the next rung up the ladder. And to do that, one has to have powerful and wealthy backers. That''s the game. Is anyone surprised at this?

[k9home2000]

Why did you all not worry about George Bush ''s campaign funds??? why were you so willing to accept a white man contribution as being honest?
Now that a Black man has supersede the campaign contribution , he must be some dishonesty? you all make me sick !!!No wonder the USA is in such a mess! That is all I have to say about transparency, you all are so transparent about your bigotry !!!!!

[k9home2000]

It just bothers you that Barrack could raise that much money the HONEST WAY!!!1I wonder how honest your previous president BUSH DID???

[k9home2000]

It just bothers you that Barrack could raise that much money the HONEST WAY!!!1I wonder how honest your previous president BUSH DID???

[gotravel1]

This a question that should have been raised months ago,and you have refused to bring to the forefront.The same is true for seriously investigating Obama''s long list of questionable associates.Every time Obama dismissing someone as "They just live in my neighborhood" we find out through other sources that he had long time deeper relationships,like that of Rasheed Khalidi,Prince Alwaleed,and Dr.Khali al-mansour.Why does anyone want to elect a president with so many questionable ties?Don''t Hope for a better life;Vote for John McCain and get one.

[gotravel1]

This a question that should have been raised months ago,and you have refused to bring to the forefront.The same is true for seriously investigating Obama''s long list of questionable associates.Every time Obama dismissing someone as "They just live in my neighborhood" we find out through other sources that he had long time deeper relationships,like that of Rasheed Khalidi,Prince Alwaleed,and Dr.Khali al-mansour.Why does anyone want to elect a president with so many questionable ties?Don''t Hope for a better life;Vote for John McCain and get one.

[sayfud-deen]

hey texwlove,i can read! and i probably have more education than you and your entire family. you didn''t say anything slick! iknow who wrote the article but did you happen to notice that it was for katy couric''s show! if you leave the drugs and booze alone,you might be able to better access situations. i''ve seen the stuff you write in. your i.q. is only equal to plant life! you are way out of your league! by the way, iam muslim and i would''nt change it for all of the world! i was born,raised, and educated,in this country. you got a problem with that? too bad! don''t fence with me tex! i''ll send you home crying to your mommy!

[sayfud-deen]

hey texwlove,i can read! and i probably have more education than you and your entire family. you didn''t say anything slick! iknow who wrote the article but did you happen to notice that it was for katy couric''s show! if you leave the drugs and booze alone,you might be able to better access situations. i''ve seen the stuff you write in. your i.q. is only equal to plant life! you are way out of your league! by the way, iam muslim and i would''nt change it for all of the world! i was born,raised, and educated,in this country. you got a problem with that? too bad! don''t fence with me tex! i''ll send you home crying to your mommy!