WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s top fund-raisers, meeting in Chicago on Wednesday, were asked by Obama campaign manager Jim Messina to raise $60 million for the Obama 2012 re-election bid and the Democratic Party by the end of June, I’ve been told.
The $60 million June 30 second-quarter goal — part of a power point presentation to members of the Obama 2012/Democratic National Committee National Finance Committee — is equal to the amount raised during the comparable time by the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign and the Republican National Committee.
Whatever the comparison, members of the NFC — Obama’s major bundlers — people who use their extensive networks to convince others to make donations — were huddling at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker Drive to map a strategy to raise what Messina has said was “north of $750 million” for 2012.
Obama and first lady Michelle, I’ve learned, will hit the fund-raising trail this month.
Mrs. Obama headlines fund-raisers in California — Pasadena and the Bay Area on June 13.
Obama has fund-raisers June 13 in Miami, June 20 in Washington aimed at Jewish donors, June 23 in New York City for gay and lesbian contributors and June 30 in Philadelphia.
Besides Messina, others briefing the NFC include Deputy Campaign Manager Julianna Smoot; Rufus Gifford, the Obama 2012 finance director, and the NFC 2012 chair Matthew Barzun, Obama’s former ambassador to Sweden.
Mayor Emanuel, who has the golden touch when it comes to fund-raising for himself or others, met with the NFC on Tuesday.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/5721570-418/60m-goal-for-obamafund-raisers.html
