Saintless

I just got this email from Barack Obama.

Misty –

Something unexpected happened the day after the New Hampshire primary.

More than 20,000 people donated to our campaign online. That’s the most ever in a single day.

In the first nine days of 2008, more than 75,000 donors gave online, and at least half of them had never given before. Just like we saw in Iowa and New Hampshire, in record numbers, our time for change has come.

Those new donors decided to step up and own a piece of this campaign right now, at this pivotal moment in history. Now, we’re within striking distance of an almost unimaginable goal:

100,000 donors before the Nevada caucuses on January 19th.

Your support in 2007 helped get us this far, and I thank you. But this movement needs you now more than ever.

This is the most decisive period of our campaign — we need to act immediately if we are going to compete as strongly as possible in the 24 states that are holding primaries and caucuses in the next four weeks.

I’m asking you to make another contribution now. This is so important that one of the people who gave in the last nine days is ready to give again to match your first online donation of 2008.

Make a donation of $50 today and take advantage of this opportunity to double your impact:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Today, I am in South Carolina with my good friend, Senator John Kerry.

Our organization here is building up very quickly thanks to grassroots supporters like you. Senator Kerry endorsed our campaign at an event this morning, and the energy and excitement was just like what we were feeling in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Tomorrow, I’m headed to Nevada, where the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union has given us another boost of momentum. We are building the same kind of strong, professional caucus team that we had in Iowa.

Together, we can make this happen, and I appreciate your support.

Our campaign has been warned against offering people false hope.

But in the American story, there has never been anything false about hope.

Your past support is proof of this hope. And I need you to share that again now.

A fellow supporter is waiting to match your first donation of 2008, and their offer is their way of inspiring you to get involved again in this new year.

Make a matched donation of $50 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Nevada is the next stop on our road to change.

Let’s get there 100,000 strong.

Thank you,

Barack

If you’d like to be a part of this amazing effort, please donate through the Utah for Obama fundraising page.

Last week, I did a “pledge match” so that I could pledge a certain dollar amount, and the campaign uses that to get people who have never donated before to donate the same amount. This is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve done the match. Usually, I’m matched right away. This time I had an unusual amount, so it took a little longer. Oddly enough, I got an email about that as I was writing this.

Congratulations! Your pledge inspired Gabriel L. in Pedricktown, NJ to make a donation to the campaign.

Here’s what Gabriel L. in Pedricktown, NJ had to say:

Go Obama!

Sometimes I get a longer message, about why they’ve decided to donate, and sometimes I don’t get any message. But, it’s always a fun way for me to send my donations. Although, the Store is pretty fun, too.

I’m joining yet another Obama committee. This time it’s the Grassroots Finance Committee, and I was invited to join. I did, and I’ve committed to raise $1,000 by the end of the year. I’ve never been good at asking people for money, no matter how important it is. But, here’s an attempt.

I think America needs a president like Barack Obama in order to heal the wounds this nation has had inflicted during the past 6 years. We need a uniter, and not a divider. We need someone who shows wisdom and diplomacy regarding issues like Iraq. We need someone who will be able to prevent Iran from creating nuclear weapons, but believes won’t have the knee-jerk reaction of going to war. We need someone who believes in America, and is willing to lead all Americans in changing the status quo.

And I believe that Barack is the only Democrat who no Republican can stand a chance against in the General election. Right now, while we’re still in primary season, is the time when you can make the most difference.

So, if I’ve convinced you to donate to Obama for America, go do it now. If I haven’t, tell me why in the comments (so I can get better at talking you into it next time).