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Obama rakes in bucks for inaugural

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 6, 2009 12:27 PM

President-elect Barack Obama is well on his way to setting another fund-raising record -- this time for his inauguration.

His inaugural committee has raised at least $27 million, most during the past three weeks, the Associated Press reports. At that pace, it would surpass the roughly $40 million raised for each of President Bush's two inaugural celebrations.

Of the more than 2,000 donors, at least 378 gave the maximum $50,000, according to the AP.

A watchdog group reports that the list includes a controversial donor who had lain low since the Los Angeles Times disclosed that he had paid Obama a retainer to give legal advice to one of his companies, which later received a $50,000 state grant after Obama had urged Illinois officials to grant it.

Robert Blackwell, who heads Killerspin in Chicago, has bundled $55,000 in contributions and donated $50,000 of his own money, according to Public Citizen. Until the Times story, Blackwell was listed as a bundler who had raised at least $100,000 for Obama's presidential campaign.

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More pay-to-play involving Obama? I wonder what those donors will receive in return for their $$$, Senate seats?

With Obama in DC, everything is for sale. Everything.

Posted by America's Team, not Obama's Team January 6, 09 12:49 PM
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Meet the new boss...same as the old boss

Posted by Paul January 6, 09 02:30 PM
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Maybe he's going to make the White House look like a NASCAR. I can see a Fannie-Mae logo glued right onto the Presidential Seal.

Posted by Joe Plumber January 6, 09 02:43 PM
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