What Does The Transition Need All That Money For?
I've seen all the stories about big donors getting big transition roles, about the ethical standards the Obama transition team has established limiting donations, etc., etc. But what do they need all that money for in the first place?
Okay, I can understand that there's staff to pay, and the cost of things like transportation, accomodations, rent and whatnot, in getting offices set up and getting people together for meetings and interviews and everything. But it sounds like they're pulling in a ton of cash from all these donations. And it's not as if they have the more obvious campaign expenses such as television commercials and field offices to worry about any longer.
So what the hell do they need so much money for? Youtube addresses and change.gov can't cost that much.
Okay, I can understand that there's staff to pay, and the cost of things like transportation, accomodations, rent and whatnot, in getting offices set up and getting people together for meetings and interviews and everything. But it sounds like they're pulling in a ton of cash from all these donations. And it's not as if they have the more obvious campaign expenses such as television commercials and field offices to worry about any longer.
So what the hell do they need so much money for? Youtube addresses and change.gov can't cost that much.
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I think the money will also go for substantial upgrades to technology, but primarily reimbursing the city of Chicago for security. I live in Chicago and have friends who live in the Obama's neighborhood. There has been a major upgrade of security, including a significant presence of Chicago police, in the neighborhood and any venue when he goes anywhere. I think the bill from the city for the Grant Park rally on Election night was at least $2 million.
This is just my theory - and I have no reports to back it up. I know the Grant Park rally cost the city at least the $2 million. I'm not sure what the daily cost is since then.
Also, he wants to build the grassroots effort to get more like-thinking people elected to government at all levels, pass legislation reflecting his vision, and organize local community service. Although we're not out doing canvassing and phone banking anymore, he wants us to continue to participate in community service and the political movement going forward. I've already received an email from Plouffe regarding house parties, with a DVD provided by the transition, to learn about ways we can stay involved.
November 29, 2008 7:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Only a little OT: Even though there's no more phone banking for the presidential race, there's still a need for phone banking in the Senate run-off race in Georgia.
I'm not saying that's where this money goes -- I'm saying that if anyone is going through campaign withdrawal and wants to help elect another Democrat to the senate, please go to TrueMajority.org and sign up. I've been doing phone banking at home to get out the vote. It's all computerized and easy to do.
November 29, 2008 9:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
We have to wait for the FEC report due in mid-December to learn where all this money is going, but an email from David Plouffe explaining why they still need all this money would be helpful. As of October 15, 2008 they had almost $63 million in cash on hand after deducting unpaid bills. I'm not sure what the campaign report would show as of today.
The campaign also paid campaign staff a one month bonus when there jobs were over. They will provide COBRA for 18 months. Here's more on the transition budget:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/11/obamas-transition-team-wi_n_143048.html
With $5.2 million from taxpayers, that leaves about $7 million they need from fundraising. I don't understand why we're still getting emails asking for money either. Where's the transparency we were promised?
November 29, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
The transition and the campaign are two different things. Money left over from the campaign will go into the war chest for future campaigning, and won't be used for the transition. And all one has to do is check out the Plum Book to see all the positions and departments that need to be dealt with.
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook/2004/2004_plum_book.pdf
November 29, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, apparently now when they send the emails, the link is to request a donation to the DNC. The change.gov site doesn't have a "Donate" link that I found. The Obama website from the campaign has a "Donate" link to send money to the DNC. We maxed out over time so I just delete the emails. Next time I'll see what they want the money for by following the link.
I've seen the Plum Book and the extensive vetting questionaire!!!
Don't forget that there is big phone banking effort for Martin (Georgia Senate) going on now through Tuesday. You can call from home or go into your field office if they have phone banks set up.
November 29, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink