Boston Globe: Obama getting most donations from uniformed service members

[Colobo]

As the Iraq war drags on and US casualties mount, members of the military appear to be showing their discontent by donating more to Democrats, a campaign finance watchdog group said today.

Service members have traditionally supported the Republican Party, but there has been a dramatic shift since the war started in 2003 away from financial backing for GOP candidates for president and Congress, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics said.

So far this year and in the 2004 election, about 40 percent of contributions from donors identifiable as military members has gone to Democrats, compared to about one fourth in the 2000 and 2002 cycles, the center's study said. Service members gave about $1.8 million in the 2004 cycle and about $330,000 this year, the study said.

Democrat Barack Obama, who is calling for a troop withdrawal to start immediately, has received the most of any presidential candidate from uniformed service members -- about $27,000.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/09/military_shifti.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. Wow--great news! Count my husband among them.

[kerrylus]

2. In today's Boston Globe

Draft Gore
Massachusetts
www.mass4gore.com

For Immediate Release
Contact: Fred Koed
617-710-7512


Statewide draft campaign for Gore begins Sept. 18

A new statewide grassroots political organization will launch a petition drive September 18 seeking to make Massachusetts the first state to place former Vice President Al Gore on a Democratic presidential primary ballot.
The new group, Draft Gore Massachusetts, announced today that nominating petitions would be carried into communities throughout the state by volunteers that include teachers, health care workers, homemakers, political activists and retirees. In making the announcement, Fred Koed of Cohasset, a member of the Massachusetts State Democratic Committee, and the chair of Draft Gore Massachusetts, said:
“This is that rarity in American politics—a genuine draft movement organized by citizens who believe firmly that America needs a specific candidate to lead the country. Gore received more than 50 million votes when he ran for President in 2000 and most of those voters still believe that he won.”
Koed points out that Draft Gore Massachusetts and its parent group, Mass For Gore, now join similar draft Gore initiatives already operating in states that include California, New Hampshire and Michigan.
A total of 2,500 signatures meeting all legal requirements plus

Gore’s approval are needed by December 21 to include Gore on the ballot for the Massachusetts Democratic Presidential Primary. In a recent Time Magazine interview, Gore says that “I haven’t ruled it out , but I don’t think it’s likely to happen.” Lynn Rogers of Worcester, Draft Gore Massachusetts central regional and volunteer coordinator, says draft efforts throughout the nation are designed to “demonstrate such substantial support for Gore that he would be drawn irresistibly into the race and approve participation in the Massachusetts primary.”
By saying he hasn’t “ruled it out,” Rogers adds, “Gore has given the draft effort substantial hope that he might still become a candidate. That kind of hope is the fundamental building block of a draft movement.”
The Massachusetts Democratic primary will be held March 4, 2008. Rogers notes that many more signatures than the 2,500 minimum required will be sought to underscore the depth of the support for Gore in the state.
Has a draft ever worked on the presidential level?
In l952, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, was enormously popular and mentioned frequently as a possible GOP presidential candidate. But he declined until a draft campaign in New Hampshire led to his stunning victory in the state Republican Presidential Primary. Eisenhower, the hero of World War II, immediately entered the presidential race and achieved an overwhelming Electoral College victory of 442 to 89 in the November election.
To volunteer to work on nominating petitions and other Draft Gore Massachusetts initiatives, please call 508-713-2720 or email: [e-mail]. Additional information can be obtained from www.Mass4Gore.com.


0001/9.12.07.RSK


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[Connie_Corleone]

4. Don't spam the thread. nt

[BeyondGeography]

5. I love Gore too but you just spammed this thread

Learn the rules and you'll have more fun here.

[Adelante]

7. Welcome to DU

Your post is a bit off topic :hi:

[BeyondGeography]

3. I'm sure they see his respect for them is genuine

which is not a trait that all Democrats (whether they feel it or not) are able to communicate to the military.

[Colobo]

6. They know he needs to be their next Commander in Chief.

[awoke_in_2003]

18. That picture

says a lot. Why does she always look so damn condescending?

[ShortnFiery]

8. And donations from Veterans - at least this one.

All the Way to the WH with Obama!

AIRBORNE! :patriot:

[Adelante]

9. The article that is based on is very interesting, too

The Other Iraq Surge

A sharp increase in contributions from the military to Democrats suggests the Republican commander-in-chief and his party are losing the troops' support.

http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=300

[iamjoy]

10. I'm Glad To Hear This

It seems Obama enjoys support from a wide range of groups/types of people. I think this bodes well for his campaign.

Yes, I'm an Edwards supporter now, but even though the primaries are still months away, I am thinking of the general election. It is encouraging to see him have such broad support in case he is our nominee.

[Colobo]

11. Obama will make all of us proud. Let's give him our support.

[AtomicKitten]

12. The NYTimes says Obama offers the most extensive plan for exiting Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/us/politics/13obama.html?em&ex=1189828800&en=a56941ca04f2f2cf&ei=5087%0A

[Ethelk2044]

13. I am very proud of Our men in the Military. I am also happy to

see they approve of Obama.

[illinoisprogressive]

14. the troops support Barack!

[maximusveritas]

15. Looks like they want out of Iraq and they found the man to get it done

Can't say I disagree with them on either count.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Maybe the military is tired of the same ol' same ol' too, and want change

desperately....I imagine. Maybe they want it worse than we do!

In an August 2002 radio Interview that I linked in my OP "Memory Hole" to today, Gen. Clark talked then of the fact that the Military were not the ones pushing that we go to Iraq, and in fact they were some of the most skeptical about Bush's planned war.

Maybe many in the military realize that if they can't have someone that "served" as their CIC in Jan of 2009, they can at least support someone who didn't help send them to Iraq to begin with.

:patriot:

[Ethelk2044]

17. They are. They also want someone who really cares about them

[Imagevision]

19. Obama is the real deal which is why the msm is spinning for Hillary...

Like Hillary said to Bill, he started campaigning for president 15 years earlier then she did, precisely! this is why we need new blood new talent, the idea of more of the same crap is exactly that!