Obama campaign says president's AF-1 fund-raising call 'routine'

[el_em_en_oh]

(CNN) – President Barack Obama's plea for donations from Air Force One was "a routine fund-raising call," according to a senior campaign official.

The call, which the official confirmed took place Friday, was recorded and posted in part on the Daily Beast.

"The majority on this call maxed out to my campaign last time. I really need you to do the same this time," the president said on the call, which took place aboard the presidential aircraft as it was flying back from Colorado after Obama surveyed fire damage in the area and made remarks.

"I'm asking you to meet or exceed what you did in 2008," Obama said.

His call revealed a certain degree of resignation, saying the slow pace of change was hurting his ability to raise campaign cash.

"In 2008 everything was new and exciting about our campaign," Obama said. "And now I'm the incumbent president. I've got gray hair. People have seen disappointment because folks had a vision of change happening immediately. And it turns out change is hard, especially when you've got an obstructionist Republican Congress."

On the call, Obama affirmed an anxiety on the part of his campaign that their GOP rivals, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his aligned super PAC, would out-raise them ahead of November's general election.

"If things continue as they have so far, I'll be the first sitting president in modern history to be outspent in his reelection campaign," Obama said on the call.

In May, Romney's organization outraised the president's by a $15 million margin, the first time in monthly fund-raising reports the Republican candidate has brought in more money than the president. In 2008, Obama broke all campaign fund-raising records, bringing in more than $700 million.

The official said Monday that Obama used a separate phone on Air Force One dedicated to political phone calls that is not paid for by taxpayers.

SOURCE: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/02/obama-campaign-says-presidents-af-1-fund-raising-call-routine/

[mikesimon]

I didn't read it that way Brice.

"...The official said Monday that Obama used a separate phone on Air Force One dedicated to political phone calls that is not paid for by taxpayers. ..."

On that issue I think he was very careful.

Mike

[brice1967]

I agree mike.  If he was preaching to the captive audience in AF !, it could easily be seen as perceived pressure.  Of course, that audience should still have the right to vote for anyone they see fit.

I read the article and thought that it was more about using a specific phone that WE pay for, to try to reel in some money.  That being the case, honestly.... I don't even care.  As sketchy of a business practice as that may be, it doesn't even scratch the surface of all of the BS and misuse in DC/politics in general.  But.... if he were to come out and try to hide this fact, then it would be sneaky and then I would have a giant problem with the President not being upfront.  If the guy would lie about phone usage, what else would he lie about?

[MrsPincince]

It's ALL facts though! It's not blaming, it is what it is....I agree with Mike. I do think you missed the bigger issue...I don;t think he should've akssked the staff of AF1 to donate either...He knows this election is not going to be a landslide. He is realistic to the fact that he COULD lose. He needs to get his campaign moving.

[mikesimon]

I think you missed the bigger issue here.

I don't think he should have asked the staff of AF 1 to donate. It's sort of a captive audience and his request could have been perceived as pressure. I thought it was bush league at best...........and overall I like the guy and I especially like him over Romney.

Mike

[el_em_en_oh]

"...And it turns out change is hard, especially when you've got an obstructionist Republican Congress."

Jeezus... will this guy ever stop pointing fingers and blaming people for his inability to produce results???

It's getting old. Actually, it's not GETTING old, it IS old.

Fine. You've not been able to get things done because the economy was a mess when you took over.
Fine. You've had difficulty passing the sweeping legislation that you've tried to sign into being.
Fine. You've had a difficult time getting the economy into recovery mode because Congress won't work with you.

Quit blaming others for your administrations ability to produce marked results, and get on with the program.

I really wish I could blame screw ups, here at work, and the guy that had this job 3-4 years ago.