If political contributions are any barometer of how people will vote, Hillary Clinton won’t be picking up many votes in Bend.
A look at the latest numbers on The Huffington Post’s “Fundrace” site shows Barack Obama out-raising Clinton here by a better than 5-1 ratio. Through the first quarter of 2008, Obama had collected almost $41,000 from residents of the 97701 and 97702 Zip codes, the bulk of it in contributions of less than $1,000, while Clinton had picked up only about $8,000.
Top local Obama donors included Robert Smith, president of TSI Manufacturing LLC, and Loren Smith, a teacher at Central Oregon Community College, who gave a combined total of $3,300; and Paul Van Camp, a physician, and Robert Cohen, retired, who gave $2,300 each.
Probably the most well-known local Obama contributor is Ben Westlund, a former Republican who switched parties and is running for Oregon state treasurer as a Democrat. He gave the Illinois senator $500.
Oddly, Bend Democrats so far have out-contributed Bend Republicans, $52,756 to $41,974. But that’s presumably because the race for the Democratic nomination is still competitive, while John McCain sewed up the Republican nomination months ago.
This article appears in Apr 24-30, 2008.
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What’s the buzz? It’s just liberal elitist America haters ponying up for a liberal elitist America hater. If William Ayers or Rev. Wright were running for the same office, these same folks would shell out for them equally. Birds of a feather…
Yes, Obama hates America. That is why he has dedicated his life to helping people and also why he ran for Senate and is now running for President. Yes, Rev. Wright hates America. That is why he didn’t take his college deferrement (Cheney, anyone?) and volunteered to serve in the armed forces at a time when there was still blatent discrimination.
Well, The Bulletin idiotorial page endorsed Clinton today. If I’d had any lingering doubts about supporting Obama that would’ve extinguished them.