by Mark Silva
OK, so we know Barack Obama wasn't collecting any of that record $150 million that he raised in September from lobbyists (except maybe lawyers that work at firms that lobby - picky, picky.)
And we don't know much about those legions of unidentified donors giving the Democratic nominee for president less than $200, as the McCain campaign has complained, except that there sure are a lot of them.
But here's something new to add to our knowledge base of an extraordinary campaign season:
"Obama's strongest supporters are... 'Young Digerati.'''
So says Nielsen, the TV raitings people, who have been poring over the fundraising reports with their Nielsen Claritas service's "PRIZM System,'' which categorizes the American population by 66 different "life-style and socio-economic'' segments, and has examined campaign donors through August of 2008.
The 'Young Digerati,' Nielsen explains, are "the affluent, highly educated, ethnically mixed and tech-savvy residents of fashionable urban fringe neighborhoods.'' They have donated $39.9 million to the presidential campaigns of the two leading contenders, Obama and Republican rival John McCain.
Among the 55,000 campaign donor from this 'urban fringe' crowd this year, more than quarters - 77 percent - have steered their campaign contributions to Obama.
The richest donors also have given more to Obama than McCain, Nielssen reports. This "Upper Crust''crowd consists of "empty-nesting couples between the ages of 45 and 64 with a high concentration of residents who earn more than $100,000 a year and possess a postgraduate degree.''
They have given 59 percent of their 2008 campaign contributions ($39.8 million) to Obama.
Other groups, including the "Bohemian Mix... Urban Achievers... and Country Squires,'' also have given more to Obama. In fact, among the top-ten donors in this breakdown of 66 profiles, all have given more to Obama.
McCain has fared better than Obama among the "Mayberry-ville... Big Sky Families... and U.S.A., Shotgun and Pickup'' crowds -- outdrawing Obama for dollars in 27 of the 66 categories that the PRIZM analyzes
(It should be noted, however, that Nielsen's analysis of more than $200 million in campaign donations involves only those donors who can be identified, so that under-$200 crowd may well involve an underground crowd of Obama Digerati or McCain Country Squires who aren't getting credit for their contributions.)
Comments
Mark Over $200 million of Obamas campaign donors are unknown are there illegal foreign donors-- you bet.
Obama is an elitist so this is just campaign hype the digerati like the gliterriati what phonyism!
Obama dosesn't believe the laws are applicable to him only to bitter people who cling to their God and their guns as Obama described us.
He still won't release a ton of information his birth certificate is just one document along with his papers from the Illinois State Senate. The drivebys have laid down on the job but you mention Sarah Palin or Joe the Plumber and the drivebys become pit bulls and Obama
sent 30 Obama rats to Alaska just to be helpful.
Obama is anything but transparent just like his non-existent tax cuts that return FICA taxes when Social Security is in trouble and the money is needed there more than in the general fund.
Obama is all smoke and mirrors. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | October 21, 2008 9:48 AM
I don't understand what the big question is regarding all the donors for Obama. I have given many times so far, I think it's the first time I have ever contributed to a presidential campaign.
The key point is that folks think Palin energized the Republican base. What really happened is that the Palin pick energized the Democrats! It energized all of us to put our money where our vote is! We know she is completely backwards in her attitudes, has a true lack of education & travel experience, and McCain was extremely reckless in selecting her. If he drops dead, she is no way qualified to be President of the US. Plain & simple. McCain's pick energized Obama's base! Rock on Obama!
Posted by: swannee | October 21, 2008 10:23 AM
All you Obama lovers just watch what happens in the stock market if he wins. I bet the market will drop a 1000 points in one day after he is sworn-in. I will laugh at all you dummy democrapers who voted for a completely worthless person who is not worthy of this high office. Obamma is nothing but a complete sham and the american public will find out two years after he's in office. It will take that long for all his so called "Changes" to take effect and all of us will be looking at "How stupid is as stupid does" I bet not a one will lift a hand to boot him out of office mainly because he's black and will all be affraid of riots in all our cities.........
Posted by: Dan from chicago | October 21, 2008 9:59 PM