Our goal: $125,000 for Barack Obama ... (link to the DU/Obama fundraising page)

[Skinner]

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/du

In 2004, we raised $40,000 for John Kerry in just one month. This year, we have five months and a lot more visitors, so we should be able to do better.

Remember to click this link before you donate, so we can keep track of our total:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/du

And while you're there, sign up to volunteer on the campaign!

David Allen
DU Administrator


DONATION TOTALS:
06/12: $3,200 (18 DUers)
06/23: $11,580 (163 DUers)
08/29: $27,908 (409 DUers)
09/09: $51,721 (832 DUers)
09/11: $55,056 (891 DUers)
09/20: $65,490 (1,025 DUers)
09/30: $75,700 (1,149 DUers)
10/19: $100,245 (1,468 DUers)

[blondeatlast]

1. Consider it done; volunteering, too! Thanks. nt

[avaistheone1]

52. Obama won't be getting $$$ from me

Given his flip flop on FISA.

[snooper2]

60. That's okay..

I'll donate extra for you :)




GOBAMA!

[stray cat]

82. I can't afford 4 more years of Bush -but if you can.....

[ClarkBayh 2008]

79. Please send some of your money to get BOB BARR on state ballots.....

Perot swung the election in 1992 & 1996.

Neither Gore, nor Clinton got 50% of the popular vote.
While BOB BARR is the most unlikely savior of this election,
with your contributions, he can attract anti-Dem voters away from McCain & swing the election to Obama.

While we revel in the money raised by Obama, this ticket includes
the 1st & 3rd most liberal senators, & neither candidate has any executive
or military experience. Thus, sadly, Obama is likely to end
up in the exact same electoral position as GORE & KERRY.
At this point, he seems likely to barely win 259 EVs.
If he falls 10 or 15 EVs short, this party will crumble.

No Dem has won 50% of the vote since LBJ.
WAKE UP! All the money in the world won't win over
average voters in OH, NV & CO.

Obama's best chance is to help BARR siphon off 5-10% of the votes in OH, MI, CO, VA, NV & NH.
Send money to BOB BARR 2008.

It's our only hope !

[secondwind]

87. REPLY

WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO GET OBAMA/BIDEN INTO THE WHITE HOUSE...................GET YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVED, YOUR NEIGHBORS, ETC. NOTHING IS TOO MUCH!

[Zachstar]

2. Good Idea skinner! Remember everyone. McCain will recieve LOTS of money

The big corps who know their days of tax loopholes is numbered will organize to pour money into McCains Campaign coffers. If we are not careful McCain will be able to outfundraise Obama easily due to his big buddies.


America simply can't afford 4 years of McCain. Just look here and think about how a calm person in comparison (Bush) managed to wipe out a whole section of our civil liberties. Under McCain we will be REALLY lucky if we can even post on DU without going to jail.

http://www.eyesonobama.com/blog/content/id_20167/title_McCains-History-of-Blow-Ups-The-Top-Ten


Angry McCain will do untold damage to our country and if he does not install himself as president for life he will make it so republicans can't lose.

[secondwind]

88. YES, BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE $$$!

Obama has already proven that he can rake in big bucks from all his supporters. I give on a monthly basis, plus have added money on several occasions. Am also going to help out in New Hampshire on Election Day, making sure no hanky-panky goes on!

[secondwind]

89. YES, BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE $$$!

Obama has already proven that he can rake in big bucks from all his supporters. I give on a monthly basis, plus have added money on several occasions. Am also going to help out in New Hampshire on Election Day, making sure no hanky-panky goes on!

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Will do....nt

[SaveAmerica]

4. Also while you're there check out the events page, June 28th people from all over are getting

together to map out strategies.

[Mabus]

5. Done

Only $25 at this time because I have to go buy gas. At least I'm only buying one tank a month these days thanks to good public transportation.

K&R

on edit: plus I gave $50 to the DNC once Obama announced that Dean would be staying and I gave $40+ to the Donna Edwards campaign at a fundraiser last week. Twenty-five is what I can afford this month.

[nam78_two]

6. I gave to the DNC kids that came by my house this month Skinner

But next month, I will definitely do it through DU. I have a soft spot, I have to confess, for the kids who do the door to door canvassing, having been one in 2004 :).

[helderheid]

7. can we pin this?

[smiley_glad_hands]

8. Things are pretty tight around the smiley house.

I won't be able to give as much as I did in 2004, but what I do give i will give thru DU.

Thanx Skinner.

[RandomKoolzip]

9. Done. I really can't afford it, but I sent something anyways.

It's the principle.

[Zachstar]

13. Thank you! This election is extremely important.

[terrya]

10. Are we looked down on for the amount of our contributions?

I just sent a contribution, but it's not huge. I'm sorry.

Things are tight for me financially right now.

[Skinner]

17. Absolutely not!

Senator Obama's campaign is funded almost entirely by small donations. It all adds up to a lot of money.

[terrya]

18. Thanks.

I'll try to do what I can.

[annabanana]

59. A lot of different organizations I contribute to ask me to donate to Obama...

From now on.. Whenever I get a request from one of them, I will add a little to my DU contribution.

[Renaissance Man]

11. Good job.

Good job, Skinner. I'll be donating and I'm already active with the campaign.

[MadBadger]

12. I bought stuff from the Obama store this month, so I couldnt donate through DU.

[Lisa0825]

14. K&R

I already gave this month, but I will give through DU next month.

[Cha]

15. An admirable goal, Skinner..

Thank you! I love donating to Obama in diferent ways, shapes, and forms.

[dzika]

16. Done and kick!

[MyDubs]

103. Kick?

Kick?

[williesgirl]

19. Done - just gave another $100. I'm on a fixed income but every little bit helps. rec'd

[UrbScotty]

20. Based on that, we could hit $100,000!

[tandot]

21. Only $3650 from 28 DUers so far.

an average of about $130 per donation.

I'll donate $100 tonight when I get home. :hi:

[mod mom]

22. I'd love too but I'm doing in-kind contributions.

We're funding voter registration tabling events at summer festivals. It nice to personally see my money in action in the way of new voters to strengthen the party not only come November but for the future.

Glad to hear DU is doing this, though :hi:

[Mabus]

23. That's been my limit in the past too

Most of my contributions in 2004 and 2006 were in-kind. I did voter registrations, held fundraisers, spent money on gas to distribute signs and take people to polls. I also did a lot work at Dem HQ.

Some friends and I go together and made mobile signs (we converted old boat trailers) which we painted for candidates and then lent them to their campaigns to use as they wished. We got volunteer help to weld the A-frames and paint them. They ended up in parades, at party HQ and in fields along highways. In off-campaign times we donate the signs to local non-profits to help advertise their events or causes. We started off planning to only construct three of them but ended up making five of them. They've been used to raise money and other aid for things ranging from local schools to hurricane & tsunami victims.

In-kind aid is great. It helps get the work done on the ground and it can be a lot of fun.

[liberalla]

24. Done!

Thanks, I've been meaning to do that!

:kick:

[liberalla]

27. That's strange... No one has contributed since I did 12 hours ago?

It's still at $3800 with 30 contributors... :shrug: seems odd.

:kick: again!

[blogslut]

25. cool

Thanks for the link!

[RB TexLa]

26. Sorry, still helping another Democrat pay down campaign debt.

[MTPF]

28. I can't believe there are only 31 donors

I just put in $100 a few days ago. Come on people, I know it hurts (first hand), but we must do what we can
to overthrow this stinking pile of shite.

[Bluenorthwest]

29. Well I have yet to mail my DU check!

Which I can not send until next week. This is a difficult time. A time that is composed of worry and stress.

[papapi]

30. I think I was #10 or something. Gave what I could. Maybe more later.

[1Hippiechick]

31. Done. Only a small donation, but I am helping with the campaign in other ways. Barack the vote!

[TooRaLoo]

32. This is a great idea.

For me, it will have to wait for 2-3 weeks. But I'll donate again!

[otohara]

33. Donated w/ Pride

thanks Skinner for all you do!

[Demi_Babe]

34. done and started by own fundrasing effort

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/malibu87

[danielet]

35. Get all the money you can,mObama, you'll need it to fight racial lies!

I will not give much money to the Obama campaign because I have none to spare. But I will give, literally my life (time-wise) FULL TIME in combating the question of race and "loyalty crap that Republican "independent" slander group will be desperately inventing. I knew McCain was immoral; I never knew he's as shameless a hustler as a Midwest used-car dealer or one of those guys the FBI has finally cuffed for the mortgage crisis in how he enjoys deceiving with dumb lies.

May I remind you that at a Yale Graduation President Bush bragged that he is living proof that a "C" level student can become President. Well, we now have a "D" student-- "D" instead of "F" because of daddy's influence on the Naval Academy, being an admiral-- now coming at you as the "Straight Talk Express" full of crap and coordinating with the "independent" Republican smut groups and shock-jocks. You all heard the kind of crap Limbaugh broadcast and all the lies the Bushies have been spewing nationally. Do you think Obama can afford to be silent anywhere in America while the Republicans play the boomers racist card? No way, Obama has to get the message out on all the slime Republicans can think of. He still has to catch-up on the Clintons' smut. Well, no free TV time in America and McCain will not take time to dissuade the racial and "Hussein" cards the Republicans will be playing, so Obama has to do it for himself. I would demand that Obama take only Federal money IF there were 50 dialogues set-up between the two from now to election day with no media hogging the attention for exposure with dumb questions. But it's not. There will be, in the last minute, the Rove mob going door to door with RACIAL and religion innuendo, just as they had done to McCain for Bush. I will give my life for the next five months so I'll give very little money for Obama. If two million Democrats did the same, he wouldn't need the cash. But you won't...It'll be lucky if you vote. SO GET THE DOE OBAMA AND KILL LIES SO YOU CAN SAVE AMERICA. IT'S PRINCE OBAMA FIGHTING THE MONSTERS WITH TV TIME TO SAVE SLEEPING BEAUTY AMERICA. So send in your money so we don't go from a "C" president to a "D" one in 2009.

[Vapor Trails]

36. Just donated. Thanks for the link. n/t

[Swingstater]

37. I donated $50

for the third time this year. :-)

[DevonRex]

38. Donated another $50. GOBAMA!

[Imalittleteapot]

39. Donated. Gobama

[Larkspur]

40. I'm boycotting donating to Obama

because he supports Telecom immunity. It appears that Obama will only listen to use if we use the power of the purse to pressure him.

[high density]

42. Obama: I'll Fight To Strip Telecom Immunity From FISA

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/06/21/politics/horserace/entry4200105.shtml

[FrenchieCat]

41. Done.......

Thank you!

[davidpdx]

43. $11,210 at 3:15 am EST on June 22nd

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[changeplease]

45. I'm worried about that as well

Money's tight for me as it is, but it would really upset me to know I had donated what I can scrape together to find out that it went to pay off Hillary's debt. I've seen a lot of mention about that lately, and it has me concerned. Perhaps I will wait until this is really clarified.

[Kdillard]

46. Don't worry

It is illegal for Obama to use any of your donations to help Hillary Clinton to pay off her debts. The only thing he can legally do to help her is to hold separate fund raisers for her with bigwigs and to encourage his base of their own accord to help her out with donations in a separate account. Relax any money you give to Obama for his campaign will be used strictly for his campaign nothing else. It is completely separate.

[changeplease]

48. Illegal?

Are you sure its illegal? Why are they all talking about the two cutting a deal so she will campaign for him? I can't imagine why it would be illegal.

[Kdillard]

49. Illegal Yes

It is very much illegal for your money to be used for any other given purpose than for his campaign. As I said before the only deal that can be worked out is for him to be holding fundraising events for her and also he can try to encourage people who donate to him online to also send her something to retire her debts in a separate account. That is the only deal that is being worked out.

[rndmprsn]

47. Gave $10 through DU last night =]

[Reeta77]

50. Just donated!

:kick:

[Adelante]

51. Donated nt

[Eurobabe]

53. Just donated n/t

[clear eye]

54. Deleted

Deleted

[Catshrink]

55. I donated, but didn't use your link...

Do you want to include this in your total? I wanted the t-shirt so I clicked on the link in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6426365

PS -- I donated $50 to defeat BushIII

[ShaneGR]

56. I'm sort of wondering why you're asking us to donate through the site?

But a majority percentage of the posts in your General Election forum are anti-Obama or anti-Democratic Party?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

57. The contributions really seem to have slowed down of late

Only about $1,000 raised in the last 10 days. Is this a symptom of a worsening economy and higher gas prices or does it have to do with the fact Obama is suddenly receiving increased criticism at DU? I expressed disappointment over Obama's failure to back up Wes Clark but I still gave $50. I think we can offer constructive criticism but still keep our eye on the goal of getting the Republicans out of power, which is far, far more important than any pet issue or singular complaint. Money unfortunately is a requirement to reach that goal.

[SoonerPride]

58. I'll make my monthly donation through DU from now on.

July is done.

[WyvernBaby]

61. I plan to donate $100 over the weekend

If we all chip in, the June mark might be broken.

[nc4bo]

62. Finally got my debit card to work - YAY!! done!! nt

[FrenchieCat]

63. Done!

Just now!

[Lisa0825]

64. Obama's birthday is August 4th!

BadgerKid suggested in another thread to donate $47 in honor of his 47th birthday. I think that's a great idea!

[TooRaLoo]

65. Any updates on the current figure? nt

[Hope And Change]

66. Yes.$15,499 is the current figure.

[xss5000]

67. RE: LA! Here I am!...The gym that is.....

I am with Obama. He is a great speaker.
Vermont Treatment Centers

[SpookyCat]

68. Done! Grovelbot got me on both DU and BO! (damn robot!)

[On the Road]

69. Made Another Contribution

$100 running total -- plan on $300 over the course of the campaign. Hopefully, DU will step up and get some attention with the new administration.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LaPera]

71. "Visitors" or contributors?

[hasssan1]

72. I JUST MAD A CONTRIBUTION , BUT PLEASE ADMIN

ASK OBAMA'S CAMP TO START HITTING MCLAME HARD AND FIGHT BACK. IF HE KEEPS BEING A MR NICE GUY , THEY WILL LOOSE GAIN.

I WILL PAY MORE IF I SEE HIM FIGHTING BACK , HARD AND NASTY JUST LIKE MCLAME.

[Greyskye]

73. Let's get a Biden spike on this day!

As today is the official Biden announcement, let's get some donations for the occasion.

I made the 254th donation - how high can you people get it before midnight? Can we break 300? The current total donated through DU is now at $16,079. Can we break $17,000 by midnight tonight?

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

[erinlough]

74. Done! thanks for the suggestion!

[Greyskye]

75. Thanks erinlough!

:yourock:

[City Lights]

76. Just donated $20.08.

:bounce: Go Obama/Biden! :bounce:

[stratakat]

77. MONEY

Hi Barack & Joe,
Is it possible that this Administration will truly be the MOST Powerful ever in our history? If So; It must start with, taking back the Federal Reserve, Any intelligent Human, will agree, paying 6% to the FR, for money that already belongs to the People of the US Is Criminal. Congress can vote to take this back… Or at least impose an oversight committee, so they have someone to answer to… 95 years we’ve carried this burden, enough is enough. If it’s about money, this is where is has to start…

This is the root to most our Financial, Economic Issues. I'm so surprised at; how many of My fellow citizens, don't know about 1913, that the Federal Reserve, is not owned by the Fed Govt. Or the 6% interest we have been slaves to since 1913.

PLEASE Take up the Fight. To free us from this 6% Interest. We will be able to fulfill the dream our forefathers had, and gave us a way to achieve.

But as Thomas Jefferson said:
If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up ~



You want money, Take back the Federal Reserve and this country will have more money than we ever thought possible. Being a Financial Programmer... It's not Complicated, it's 5th grade math... and the information & truth about the FR, is soon to be common knowledge, and mark these words. "The American People, are about to get REALLY Angry", as they ought to be!


PLEASE Barack & Joe, free us from the FR... I know you know! Until we do we will NEVER heal... We can't, it's designed to keep us from healing.

Concerned:
Small Business Owner

[truthisfreedom]

78. $1K from me today.

I'm in this thing all the way. Until it hurts.

[terrya]

80. I just donated. A small amount, sorry.

I'm kind of strapped for cash right now. But I gave a donation.

Please forgive me for not donating a larger amount. I'll do so again next week.

[Faygo Kid]

81. Another 50 bucks. More to come. I think we just forget sometimes.

I have donated directly through his site.

My bad. I just hope I can send Skinner a tissue, to wipe away the tears. He knows I'm more loyal than that. If too clever by half.

[Bigleaf]

83. Wife & I just did $100 each.

[hasssan1]

84. LINK IS NOT WORKING

PLEASE FIX IT SO I CAN SEND IT THROUGH YOUR SITE.

[City Lights]

85. Just donated $50. nt

[NC_Nurse]

86. Another $50 from me!

:party:

AWESOME speech last night. :toast: :bounce:

[Beaverhausen]

90. Just made my first donation

[californiachill]

91. I made my donation of 50.00 yesterday.

I got a t-shit and yard sign, as well.

[1Hippiechick]

93. Hey! Welcome to DU! n/t

[FrenchieCat]

92. Donated on 8/31 thru DU.....

figured I check in. :patriot:

[ColonelTom]

94. In for $100.

Many thanks to Sarah Palin for inspiring my donation tonight.

[demo dutch]

95. I was so mad last night, donating was the first thing I did this AM

[Janice325]

96. I just sent something, even though I'm currently unemployed.

It's IMPORTANT, dammit!!!

[Turn CO Blue]

97. $100.00 just now Palin hatespeech = motivated Obama base!!!

[patrice]

98. + $100.

[emmadoggy]

99. My first Obama donation...

Not much, but it's what I can do. Watching the puke-inducing RNC this week was enough to inspire me to throw some cash to Obama.

[Riverman]

100. I'm In. Rarely do I constribute money to national campaigns

I'm for Charlie Brown here in NorCal, but the republicans convinced me that I just can't stand their evil anymore and must work to get the democratics back in power.

[TooRaLoo]

101. $45,683 so far! nt

[weezie1317]

102. Need some help - Anyone know how I can set this up for another board(s)? Thanks!

[VaYallaDawg]

104. Just sent in my $100, thanks Skinner for working on this n/t

[Hope And Change]

105. Current figure is now $47,318 from 766 people!

[slackmaster]

106. Done

:kick:

[lisainmilo]

107. 48225.00

less than 2000.00 to go please donate.

[President_Obama]

108. DU did it!!!! $50,001.00

What a great community!

[Adelante]

112. $50,546.00

:thumbsup:

[No Elephants]

109. Time to CHANGE To A Higher Goal!

[No Elephants]

110. I could not figure out how to donate via DU. The only options I had led me to creating my own

page, which I have no desire to do. I have donated to the campaign several times before via Internet and phone, but this was my first attempt to do so via a third party.

[Lisa0825]

111. When you go through the DU link

it takes you to the DU donation page, and it automatically gets credited to DU:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/du

edited to add: Under the thermometer picture, there is a button that says donate. Click on that. Below that is the link to create your own page. That is not related to DU.

[redrobin]

113. THIS NEWS SHOULD GET SOME MONEY IN!

I'm a new poster here....they won't let me start a new thread
because they say I've not replied to enough first.

Please, SOMEONE, post this as a new thread. IT'S CRITICAL
NEWS:



THERE IS NO PALIN PIPELINE IN PLACE! SHE IS LYING AGAIN. GET
THIS ADDRESS OUT TO ALL THE BLOGS, PUNDITS YOU CAN, WE'VE GOT
TO GET THIS NEWS OUT:

http://www.andrewhalcro.com/palin_requests_talks_with_oil_executives
 
Palin requests talks with oil executives

Governor Sarah Palin has requested a conference call this
week with the CEO's of the major oil companies playing a role
in the potential development of Alaska's natural gas pipeline.

The requested participants include Tony Hayward from BP,
James Mulva from ConocoPhillips, Rex Tillerson from Exxon
along with others. According to my source, no one knows
exactly what the purpose of the call is, but some have never
the less speculated.

Last week in her address to the nation, Palin stepped far
over the line of truthiness (thanks Steven Colbert) when she
told the country, "I fought to bring about the largest
private-sector infrastructure project in North American
history. And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly
forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead
America to energy independence."

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact the state has done little more to move the gas
pipeline forward over the last twenty months than to grant a
Canadian company $500 million to push paperwork with no
guarantee a pipeline will be built.

Anchorage Daily News reporter Wesley Loy reported last month;

Palin said in her press conference that the state never
before had commitments to build this line. Now we do. That's
incorrect.

TransCanada has not promised to actually build the gas line,
one of the state's grandest and most frustrated economic
development dreams.

The state license, awarded under the Alaska Gasline
Inducement Act, or AGIA, which the Legislature passed at
Palin's request last year, is not a construction contract and
does not guarantee a pipeline will be built."

Since becoming Alaska's governor in December of 2006, Palin's
administration has had a very combative relationship with the
oil & gas industry in Alaska and has ignored any attempts
to communicate with them on development issues.

When the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) was introduced
and passed by the legislature in 2007, the administration
refused to entertain suggestions from the producers to make
the process more commercially viable. At the end of the day
the state had crafted a proposal that ignored all legal and
fiscal realities.  

So instead of negotiating with the producers, the
administration said they'd rely on public and share holder
pressure to force three of the largest oil companies in the
world to commit to paying for the most expensive privately
financed project in the history of the United States.

Even United State Senator Ted Stevens raised serious concerns
 about the process back in March saying; "financing terms
won't be set by the legislature, the governor or the Congress.
They're going to be set by the people who manage the
money."

Today, the state has awarded a $500 million inducement and
exclusive rights to TransCanada, while their CEO is on record
as saying that they cannot order one piece of steel pipe
without first gaining the financial support from the oil
companies. "Nothing goes ahead unless Exxon is happy
with it," CEO Hal Kvisle told the Toronto Globe and Mail
in August.

So what could the agenda be on this requested phone call by
Governor Palin?

Compromising on Point Thomson

The state is currently in litigation with ExxonMobil over the
development of Point Thomson, a gas field critical to the
economics of the Alaska gas pipeline. Alaska has only two
recognized gas fields and both have always been thought to be
critical to make the economics of the gas pipeline work.

During legislative testimony in June, Exxon's Alaska
Production Manager Craig Haymes said, "for 3.5bcf a day
pipeline for 25 years, you need 45 to 50tcf. That's how much
gas you need for that commitment. Prudhoe Bay is only 25tcf.
That means you need another Prudhoe Bay if Point Thomson is
off the table." 

The producers including Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips and Chevron
have stated in legislative testimony that without Point
Thomson, there will be no gas pipeline.

This spring, Exxon proposed a court ordered plan that would
have them spend $1.3 billion to develop the field to bring on
line to feed a gas pipeline. The Palin administration rejected
what everyone has called a reasonable and viable development
plan, because they don't trust Exxon. 

After rejecting Exxon's plan, the administration has
continued to pursue litigation and has rejected Exxon's
appeal for court ordered mediation.

One of the thoughts is that in the conference call Palin
could offer to drop the Point Thomson litigation in exchange
for the producers agreeing to participate in the AGIA
proposal to build a gas pipeline.

This creates problems as some companies like ConocoPhillips
have a small play in Point Thomson and a larger play in
Prudhoe Bay. In addition, it ignores the fact that AGIA just
simply won't work because the state's terms are too
perscriptive and TransCanada brings no value to the project. 

Also, the question was raised about Exxon's CEO Tillerson and
his willingness to participate in any discussions after his
company has taken such a rhetorical beating from Palin over
the last year. During a press conference last fall, Palin
stated that Exxon shouldn't let the door hit them on the way
out. 

But now, with the campaign trying to portray Palin as an
energy expert, she needs Exxon more than Exxon needs her.
Especially with the favored son of her gas pipeline strategy,
TransCanada, admitting that until Exxon is happy, the gas
pipeline will not happen. 

The shoe is clearly on the other foot. The question is how
does big oil, that Palin has claimed to be so tough on,
respond now that they clearly have the advantage.

 

Backing off the rhetoric of windfall profits tax

Another reason for the conference call could be to get an
agreement from oil company executives to shelve the rhetoric
about the windfall profits tax Palin signed as governor last
December.

In September of 2007, Palin proposed a $750 million dollar
tax increase on the industry. For weeks her administration
travelled the state convincing Alaskans that the tax hike was
justified and it would not impact development.

When the tax was eventually passed by the Alaska State
Legislature two months later, the increase had gone from $750
million to almost $2 billion and included a very steep
progressive tax component based on the increased price of a
barrel of oil.

Otherwise known as a windfall profits tax.

When asked about the massive increase from her original 
proposal as she was preparing to sign the legislation in
December, she commented to KTUU news that is was close enough
to what she originally proposed. 

Over the last nine months companies have been outspoken about
the impacts on Alaska's oil production at a time when
production is dropping between 6 and 8 percent per year.

In July, BP announced it's new development, Liberty, which is
a development entirely on federal land. The state will get no
production taxes and only a small amount of royalty over the
life of the project.

The new 90% ACES marginal tax rate does not make investing on
state land worthwhile, even with the tax credits. During the
ACES debate all the Palin administration focused on was
whether investors could make money under ACES. The question
they never examined was whether you could make more money
somewhere else.

Doug Suttles, BP Alaska's president, said due to the Governor
Palin's hefty ACES oil production tax adopted by the
legislature last fall, Liberty would not have been developed
on state land.

“If this were on state lands, it’s doubtful we’d have been
able to move it forward,” Suttles said. “Alaska is a very
high-cost environment for the industry."

Quite possibly, Palin wants oil companies to tone down the
rhetoric about Alaska's tax environment as she is trying to
position herself as having the energy answers. 

 

Opening communications

In two different interviews with Alaska oil company
executives over the last two weeks both have said they same
thing; currently there is no communication between the Palin
administration and the oil companies. No front channel, no
back channel...nothing.

With Palin now on the national stage, one of the thoughts
could be she wants to appear to be having a dialogue with the
same big oil she claims to have been getting tough with during
her term as governor.

"And despite fierce opposition from oil company
lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we
broke their monopoly on power and resources", Palin told
Americans on Wednesday night.

Again, nothing could be further from the truth. 

These companies hold hydrocarbon leases that were issued
decades ago. These leases granted them legal rights to
develop the oil and gas resources on state leased land and no
political speech changed that legal reality.

The bottom line is the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline won't be
built until the state sits down and negotiates a fiscal
framework that defines the resource extraction terms for
natural gas. So far this administration has refused to hold
any discussions with the industry and has instead decided to
spend $500 million of tax payer money propping up a straw man
with hopes they'll force the oil companies to cave.

Like many, I have been critical of this process. It's been
further aggravated by the administration's refusal to engage
in good faith negotiations, while relying on public support
for supposedly standing up to big oil. The reality is they've
doing little more than ignore both fiscal and legal realities
while risking delays at a time when inflation is driving up
the cost of construction.  

If in fact the governor is requesting this conference call to
finally open lines of communications with these companies,
that's good for the state and the country.

Or maybe the call is a public relations stunt...    

Over the last few days we've heard from both John McCain and
his campaign staff, promoting the idea that Governor Palin
has been tough on big oil.

Even Palin herself on the campaign website stated, "I've
stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special
interests, to the lobbyists, the Big Oil companies and the
'good old boy' network."

Possibly, the reason for the call could be to enhance the
image of a maverick governor telling big oil how the cow eats
the grass. This might play well in Peoria, but it won't do
anything to move the industry forward and build a gas
pipeline.

As governor for the last 20 months, Palin has consistently
criticized the oil companies for "sitting on Alaska's
gas reserves for the last thirty years." 

This is factually incorrect.

Due to the expense of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline, the
price of natural gas didn't even reach a level that allowed
for serious consideration of the project until 2002.

Over the last five years, oil companies have been working on
trying to develop the gas pipeline. In 2003, the Alaska State
Legislature unanimously reauthorized the Stranded Gas
Development Act. In 2004, the federal government passed the
Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act that created rules and
incentives the project. In 2005 & 06 the oil companies
negotiated a deal with the former governor that was not acted
upon by the legislature.

When Palin was elected in 2006, she took a different route,
instead attempting to bypass the oil companies and deal with
an independent pipeline company who has neither the balance
sheet or the necessary gas reserves to make the project
happen.

In addition, the state agency (AOGCC) that regulates the
development of hydrocarbons to prevent waste, testified that
even  if a natural gas pipeline was available today, they
wouldn't allow enough gas to be sold to make it viable
because the gas is still needed to help extract oil. With an
estimated 3 billion barrels of oil still remaining in the
ground on the North Slope and oil being worth much more than
gas, permission to sell the gas would be denied.

So while the rhetoric may sound good to energy starved
Americans about how big oil has been sitting on Alaska's gas
reserves for the last thirty years....the economic reality is
much different. 

The fact is these companies don't make decisions based on
politics they make decisions based on economics. If they did
base decisions on political pressure, the Exxon Valdez
punitive damages case would have been settled over a decade
ago. 

Public Opinion

A recent opinion poll conducted by The Cromer Group between
August 18 - 21, shows by a margin of three to one, Alaskan's
believe the producers Denali gas pipeline project is better
for the state than the governor's TransCanada proposal.

In fact, polling results reveal the more Alaskans understand
the TransCanada proposal, the more they say the deal is too
risky.

Two questions which asked Alaskans how they felt about
TransCanada's idea to appeal to Congress for financial help
with the project drew the most concern.

Congress passed a loan guarantee for $18 million dollars in
2004 to help promote the development and building of the gas
pipeline. But TransCanada proposes to use that $18 million
dollars, not to get going, which is the purpose of the loan,
but to use some portion of the money to cover its cost
overruns. What this means is TransCanada is asking US
taxpayers to pay for any cost overruns of the project that
TransCanada is managing. Do you feel…(READ LIST)


1. The risk was too high and should not have been taken,
or/57%

2. The risk was worth it and should have been taken?/13%

3. Don’t see this as a risk /9%

4. Can’t Say /21%

 

TransCanada’s plan asks for the U.S. Government to assume
some of the project risk by agreeing to pay billions of
dollars in pipeline transportation fees as a “bridge
shipper,” in case initial gas commitments from the major oil
companies are not enough to run the gas line at full
capacity. Do you feel…(READ LIST)


1. The risk was too high and should not have been taken,
or/53%

2. The risk was worth it and should have been taken?/16%

3. Don’t see this as a risk /6%

4. Can’t Say /26%


And in the end, disregarding all the problems, all the ifs,
ands, or buts – which is your own personal favorite? Is it
the (ROTATE) Denali Alaska Gas Pipeline Project; the AGIA
-TransCanada Gas Pipeline Project; or the All-Alaska Port
Authority Gasline Project? 


1. Denali Alaska Gas Pipeline Project/45%

2. AGIA-TransCanada Project/15%

3. All-Alaska Port Authority Gasline Project/9%

4. None of these /3%

5. Can’t Say/28%

[FSogol]

114. Congrats on passing the $50k.

Keep up the good work, everyone.

[TooRaLoo]

115. Let's create a new goal!

Just donated a small amount. I hope I can do more soon.

[demokatgurrl]

116. Why doesn't the link work? Tried 3 times. n/t

[Adelante]

117. $51,321

It's working for me.

[NYDem Observer]

118. Just donated $50

I'll try to contribute more at the end of the week

[Name removed]

119. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

120. Wow! Almost doubled in 11 days!

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

[amborin]

121. done

[Darryl Smithburg]

122. An Amazing Anthem For The Obama Campaign

Hi Friends and Fellow Democrats,

I recently came across this on Youtube.
Please watch this music video that couldn't be a better anthem endorsing Barack Obama.
I feel that it completely sums up our concerns and hopes for a brighter future.

link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLgJVBoR_zs


Thank you for your time

Sincerely,

Darryl Smithburg

[AtomicKitten]

123. I donated vintage political T shirts to an auction here in SF for Obama.

One in particular sold for $3,255; offered to DU first (no response).

[abumbyanyothername]

124. + $300 nt

[Bigleaf]

125. I just recieved a call from Team Obama asking for another $100 so I told them I'd do it through DU.

Being a man of my word, I just donated the $ 100 through DU.

[TransitJohn]

126. I just gave $100

My first donation. :hi:

[Bigleaf]

127. Just donated $100. Let's go guys. We HAVE to win this.

[peacebird]

128. we just donated $1,000 thru DU! Hubby said it was worth paying the interest charge on credit card!

GObama!
GOBiden!

and just GO AWAY McSame & Sarah Failin'

[Obamarulz11]

129. I donated Skinner...emailed you too

I cant afford 4 more years of Bullshit

[TooRaLoo]

130. Time for a new goal - $100,000! nt

[Roland99]

131. It's at $78,705 now (with my little donation)

[hiepkhachhanh]

132. good plan

great plan man

[MSU_Spartans]

133. I don't have much, but will donate today

I just got paid for a job, and will be giving $20 today. Not much, but I have to do something.

[Vincardog]

134. Lou Dobbs is beating the Acorn fraud drum now. IT make me contribute $50

[oletrout]

135. Go Obama Go

OBAMA-The ABSOLUTE best choice for America at this time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGmPTGkNh_I

[truthisfreedom]

136. I just donated another $500 for a total of $2000 (post-primary!) and we're at $91,500!

I don't even know if it refreshed yet... we may have a higher total. C'mon, people, pony up! Every little bit helps!

[GreenTea]

137. So when will DU be sending the 100k after the election? It's at 94k

now it'll be at least another week or more before it hits 100k...

[spooky3]

138. another $100 to counter the McLame debate lies

[HughMoran]

139. $250 just now. Right-wing lies on the radio made me so angry that I'm giving extra now

I am so sick of the hateful Republicans - I'd give my entire checking account if it was legal and I thought it would guarantee an Obama victory.

[Sugarcoated]

140. I'm a little financially embaressed right now

but I gave $25 tonight. GOBAMA!!!

[AndyTiedye]

141. LESS THAN $3000 TO GO…

:kick:

[AndyTiedye]

142. LESS THAN *$2000* TO GO!

[Snotcicles]

143. Count me in. nt

[Occam Bandage]

144. We broke $100,000!

[No Elephants]

145. Donating again, in the name of Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham.

[dmallind]

146. BIt of a grumble with this.

Raising money for Obama? Great idea.

Raising the profile of DU as a group that can deliver soem significant support? Great idea.

Giving people a goal and keeping the excitement going? Great idea.

Keep changing that goal for time periods that may render the money useless for this election cycle AND demoralize those who pushed and scrimped to help push teh fund over $50K or $75K or $100K? Lousy idea.

Why not just put up the real goal one time? Why not deliver that goal and keep going on a NEW goal if you find out you can get more money? This shifting aim is neither effective nor inspirational any more.

[fadedrose]

147. Skinner, I didn't scroll down far enough to read

the thing about clicking the lind BEFORE I donated...sent an email to you instead....sorry.

[endelfam]

148. Have given many small donations...

But this is the first one on the DU link. This is in response to the somewhat frantic email that came from the campaign saying they are being the Rethugs in cash on hand.

[nc4bo]

149. Just got the RNC has $20m cash in hand email and I just don't have

the entire $25 to give. My hubby runs his own biz and things are either slowing down due to the cooler weather kicking in (typical for us) or the economy bug-a-boo is starting to really touch us.

I crossed my fingers and toes that I had a few dollars left on my debit card when I hit the "donate" button - thankfully it went through but it's getting tough to donate now. We're just about out of steam and ready to go count some change at the coin machine at the grocery store..

I feel sooo bad that our funds are so limited and pray that Obama can get the donations he needs to get over the hump.

[beac]

150. KICK!!

[beac]

151. KICK!!