Green Means Go--Send the 'Doe

Many Americans opened their emails today with a message directly from the president. However, it wasn't an invitation to the White House for a state dinner or recognition for being an outstanding US citizen. Instead, it was the official announcement of the beginning of his 2012 Presidential Re-Election Campaign.

The announcement comes amid a budget stalemate in Congress and a new militant initiative in Libya atop all of the country's other "issues". However, the President Obama quickly clarified that these situations would remain his top priority. So, why did his announcement come at a time when a clear Republican slate has yet to manifest itself? The O'Jays put it best--Money, Money. Money, Money...Mo-ney! Today gave the green light for supporters to allow the $doe$ to start pouring in.


From CNN:

Candidate Obama turned heads -- and established early on that he would be a serious fundraiser -- by raising a whopping $59 million during the first half of 2007. His campaign surely wants to at least match that level again.

The president's re-election team has been asking campaign bundlers to gather $350,000 each, no easy task since campaign finance laws limit gifts to $2,500 per donor. However, following the recent Supreme Court ruling, corporations and political action committees have virtually no limits in spending on noncandidate, issue-oriented campaigning this election season.

Two sources tell CNN that the campaign team hopes that in total, its bundlers will raise $500 million, leaving the campaign to raise another $500 million and amass a record-breaking $1 billion war chest.

According to these sources, the president has made calls to top donors, and conference calls are planned this week to supporters and key Democratic groups.

President Obama is no dummy--he knows how to raise the money. His record-breaking 2008 Presidential Campaign raised nearly $750 million. The goal for 2012: $1 billion! Piece of cake?!