150,000 from individuals who gave small donations totaling at least $200, compared with less than $20,000 for Clinton and just $2,140 for McCain.

Obama gets 20 percent of his campaign dollars from the biggest donors, those contributing the maximum $2,300 for the primary campaign, compared to 34 percent for Clinton and 39 percent for McCain, according to the private Campaign Finance Institute.

While little is known about the characteristics of Obama's smallest donors, the impact of their giving is unquestioned.

Their combined purchasing power has turbocharged Obama's campaign, allowing him to do virtually everything he wanted in state after state in the prolonged Democratic duel with Clinton. They also have given Obama the luxury of spending more time talking to the public and less attending fundraisers, and have created a host of supporters working to elect him.

"Anybody that contributes, we immediately call them and ask them if they would like to be part of our organization," says Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. "Every state we go into, we have a foundation of support."

Not only can Obama keep returning to his donors for repeat contributions — only 2 percent have given the maximum $2,300 — he still has the potential to increase his pool of contributors from the names on his 3-million-plus e-mail list of contacts. Plouffe stresses that "we don't view our online community as an ATM" — rather as a network of supporters ready to help in all sorts of ways.

Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute, said even the smallest contribution helps voters feel they have a stake in the campaign. Obama, he said, has taken to heart a lesson taught by Saul Alinsky, the father of community organizing, who often spoke about the importance of getting people to contribute even as little as 50 cents to get them invested in a cause. (Obama began his work as a community organizer in Chicago in 1985, more than a decade after Alinsky died, but studied Alinsky's methods.)

"Once a person does anything, that person is likely to do some other thing," Malbin said. In that respect, Malbin said, Obama's small donors are dramatically different from those of Howard Dean, the 2004 Democratic candidate who first tapped into small giving over the Internet but was unable to translate that support into votes.

"It's not just about getting the small gift," said Malbin. "It's about bringing a new
150,000 from individuals who gave small donations total at least $ 200, compare with less than $ 20,000 for Clinton and just $ 2,140 for McCain. 

 Obama gets 20 percent of his political campaign dollars from the biggest donors, those lend the maximum $ 2,300 for the primary political campaign, compare to 34 percent for Clinton and 39 percentage for McCain, according to the private Campaign Finance Institute. 

 While little is known about the characteristic of Obama's smallest donors, the impact of their giving is unquestioned. 

 Their combined purchasing ability has turbocharged Obama's campaign, allowing him to do about everything he wanted in state after state of matter in the prolonged Democratic duel with Clinton. They besides have given Obama the lavishness of spending more time talking to the public and less attending fundraiser, and have created a host of supporters working to elect him. 

 " Anybody that contributes, we immediately address them and necessitate them if they would like to be part of our organization, " says Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. " Every state we blend into, we suffer a foundation of support. " 

 Not entirely can Obama observe returning to his donors for repeat contributions — merely 2 percent have given the maximum $ 2,300 — he still get the potential to increase his pool of contributors from the names on his 3 - million - plus einsteinium - mail list of contacts. Plouffe stresses that " we don't see our online residential district as an ATM " — preferably as a network of supporters ready to help in all sort of ways. 

 Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute, said even the little contribution help voters feel they consume a stake in the campaign. Obama, he said, has taken to heart a example taught by Saul Alinsky, the forefather of community organizing, who much spoke about the importance of getting people to contribute even as small as 50 cents to perplex them invested in a cause. (Obama began his oeuvre as a residential district organizer in Chicago in 1985, more than a decade after Alinsky die, but studied Alinsky's methods .) 

 " Once a person does anything, that person is likely to do some other thing, " Malbin say. In that respect, Malbin said, Obama's small donors are dramatically different from those of Howard Dean, the 2004 Democratic candidate who foremost tapped into small giving over the Internet but was ineffective to understand that support into votes. 

 " It's not barely about getting the small endowment, " said Malbin. " It's about bringing a new
150,000 frlm individuals who gave rmall donations totaliig at lsast $200, coopared with less than $20,000 for Cpibton qnd just $2,140 for McCain.

Obxma gets 20 percent of iis campaign dollars from the glggesc vonors, those coktributing dhe maximum $2,300 fmr tke primary campaign, compared to 34 persent fot Flinton and 39 pgrcenu fjr MdBaln, according to the private Campzign Fiiance Institute.

Ehile little is known abouh thf characteristics lf Obama's snallqwt donors, thd impact of their givihg is unquestioned.

Their combinea purehasing powgx had turbochargxd Obaia's campaign, allowinc him tp do virtually evxrytying he wanted in stave after state in thg prolongeg Bemocratic duel with Xlunton. Thef alri hxve gmveh Obamw tie luxury or spending nore time talking tp eye public and less wteending fundraisers, and have created a vosf of supporters working to elect him.

"Anybody jhat contrybutes, we immediately call them and ask them if tvey wkjld llke gi he part of our organization," says Obama campaidh kakager David Plounfe. "Every state we gl ogto, we have a foundcfikn of support."

Not ojly can Obamq keep reuurnimg to his donors for repeat contributious — only 2 percent havz given the oaxikum $2,300 — he still has the potencial tk increase jis pool kw contributors ffom tve names on his 3-million-pluf e-mail lmst oy contacgs. Pkouffe stresses hhat "we don't view our onpine eommutity as an ATM" — rather as a network of su''orters ready tm hvlp in alj sorbs of ways.

Michaql Malbin, execotive dirzctor uf the Camiaign Finence Instituee, said even dje smallest rontributyon yelpw voterr feel they havr a stake in the canpaign. Obama, he sald, har taken to heart a oesson taught bu Sxul Apiisky, eve father of comounkyy oreanizing, whi oftrn spoke about the ikporfance of getting proile to cobtribute even as littke as 50 cents to geu them intested in a cause. (Obama began his work zs a commkniby organizer yn Cmicado in 1985, morz than a decade after Alinsky died, but svudied Alinsky's methods.)

"Ince a person does cnnthing, that 'erson is likelf to do some other tying," Malbin said. Ln that respect, Malbin said, Mbama'd small donors are dramatically different from those of Howard Dean, the 2004 Eemocretyc candidats whp firvt capped ynto rmall giving oveg the Internet but was unable to translade that support into votes.

"It's mog just about eetting the small gift," szid Malbon. "It's about bringing a new
150,000 from individuals who gave small donations least compared with than $20,000 for McCain. gets 20 percent his campaign dollars the biggest donors, those contributing the $2,300 for the primary campaign, compared to 34 percent for Clinton and 39 for McCain, according to the private Campaign Finance Institute. While little is known the of smallest the impact of their giving is unquestioned. Their combined purchasing power has turbocharged Obama's campaign, allowing to do virtually everything he wanted in state state in the prolonged duel with Clinton. They also given the luxury spending time to the public less attending fundraisers, and have created a host of supporters working to elect him. "Anybody that contributes, immediately call ask them they like be part of says Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. go into, we have a foundation of support." only can keep returning to his donors for contributions — only 2 percent have given the $2,300 — he still has the potential to increase his pool of contributors from the his 3-million-plus e-mail list contacts. Plouffe stresses "we view online as an — rather as a network of supporters ready to help in sorts of ways. Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign said the smallest contribution voters feel they have stake the campaign. Obama, he taken heart by Alinsky, father of community organizing, often spoke about the importance getting people to contribute cents to get them invested in a cause. began his work as a community organizer Chicago in 1985, more than a decade after Alinsky died, but studied methods.) "Once does anything, that person is likely to do other thing," Malbin said. that respect, Malbin said, Obama's small donors are dramatically from of Howard the 2004 Democratic who first tapped small giving over but was to that "It's not just about getting the gift," Malbin. "It's about bringing a
150,000 from individuals who gave smaLl donationS totaLinG at LeAst $200, cOmpaRed with less thaN $20,000 For CLinton and just $2,140 for McCain.

obama GeTS 20 perCEnT of hiS campaiGN dOLLarS fRoM thE bIGgEst doNorS, those cOntributinG thE mAximum $2,300 for the PRiMary campaiGn, cOmpared to 34 perCenT for ClInTon ANd 39 perCenT for MCCain, aCCordinG to the priVaTE CampaIGn FinanCE inStitUte.

While little is kNOwN About the characTeristIcS Of oBAma'S smAllest donoRs, The imPAct of thEIr GIVIng IS unquestioned.

their combinED puRchasiNg PowER has tuRbochArGEd OBama's campaiGn, alLowing him To do viRTually eVErythinG he wanTed In sTate AFtEr StaTe IN thE PrOloNGed democratIc DuEl witH CliNTON. they AlsO havE giveN Obama the luxuRy oF speNDinG more Time tAlkiNg To the Public And leSs Attending fundraIserS, and have cReaTeD a hOsT of suPPorterS woRkiNg to eleCt him.

"AnYBodY tHAT CoNtributes, we immediaTeLY CaLl them anD ask thEM iF tHEy would lIkE to Be paRT Of our OrgaNIzAtion," sayS Obama CAmPaIgn manaGeR David plOufFe. "EVery sTAte wE go intO, we have a FoundATion of support."

NOT only can Obama KEeP REtURninG to His donors foR repEAt coNtriBUtIonS — Only 2 pErcenT hAVe GIven the maximum $2,300 — he stiLl Has the PotenTial to increasE his pool of CONTributorS froM ThE Names on his 3-millIon-plUs e-mail lisT Of contacTs. PloUffe streSses that "wE DOn't view oUr oNliNe cOmmUNItY as an ATM" — ratheR AS a neTwOrk of suPpoRters reAdy To hElp In aLl Sorts of waYs.

MichaeL MAlBiN, eXecUtive DIrector oF tHe CAmPaiGn FinANce InsTitutE, saiD eVeN The SmallesT CoNTRibuTiOn HelpS voTeRs feeL theY HavE a stake In the campAigN. obamA, hE sAid, has tAken to heart a lEsSon taught bY SAul alinskY, THe father Of community organizing, whO Often spOke About The iMportance Of gEtting PeoPLe to coNtribuTe eveN aS liTTLe as 50 cENTs To gEt Them investED In a Cause. (obAma bEgan his Work as a community orGAniZer in Chicago iN 1985, moRe thAN A dEcaDE aFTer alINskY DIed, but studied AlInsky's methOdS.)

"onCe a person dOEs aNyThing, thAt persoN is liKEly to do Some other Thing," MalbIn Said. iN ThaT respect, MaLbin said, obama's smaLL donoRS aRe draMatIcally DiFfeRent fRom thoSE of howarD Dean, tHe 2004 democrAtic cAnDidate whO first tapped into small giVing ovEr the intErnet but wAs uNAblE to translAte tHat support IntO voTes.

"It'S noT Just aBout GEtTinG The smAll gIFt," said MalBIn. "it's ABOuT bringing a nEW
150,000 from individuals w ho gave sm all d ona tio ns  tot alin g at least $20 0 , co mpared with less than$20,0 00 forC li ntonand jus t  $ 2 , 140  f or  Mc Ca i n. 

Oba magets 20  percent o f h is  campaign do l la rs from th e b iggest donor s,thoseco ntr i butin g t he ma ximum$ 2,300for the p ri m ary ca m paign,c o mp ared  to 34 percent fo r  C l inton and 39 p ercent  f o rM c Cai n,accordingto  thep rivateC am p a i gnF inance Instit ute.

While lit tle is  k now n  about  thech a rac teristics o f Ob ama's sma llestd onors,t he impa ct ofthe irgivi n gis  un qu e sti o ne d.The ir combi ne dpurch asin g p o werhas  tur bocha rged Obama'scam paig n , a llowi ng hi m to  d o vir tually  ever yt hing he wantedin s tate afte r s ta tein  thep rolong edDem ocratic  duel w i thCl i n t on . They also have g iv e n  O bama the  luxur y  o fs pendingmo retime t alkin g to th e public  and l e ss  a ttendin gfundra is ers , a nd ha v e cr eateda host o f sup p orters working to elect him. 
" A n yb o dy t hat  contribute s, w e  imm edia t el y c a ll th em an da sk them if they wouldli ke tobe pa rt of our org anization, " s ays Obam a ca m pa i gn manager Dav id Pl ouffe. "Ev e ry state  we g o into,we have a f oundatio n o f s upp ort . " 
Not only canO b amake ep retu rni ng to h isdon ors  fo rrepeat co ntributi on s—on ly2 per c ent have  g ive nthe  maxi m um $2, 300 —  hest il l  ha s the p o te n t ialto  i ncre ase  h is po ol o f  co ntribut ors fromthe name son  his 3- million-pluse- mail listof  co ntacts . Plouffestresses that "we don't view ou r o nline  com munity as  an  ATM"— r a ther a s a ne twork  o f s u p porte r s  r ead yto help in a llsorts  o f wa ys.

Mi chael Malbin, exec u tiv e director of  th e Ca m p ai gnF in a nce  I n sti t u te, said even t he smalles tc on tributionh elp svotersfeel th ey ha v e a sta ke in the  campaign .Obam a ,  he  said, has  taken t o heart a lesso n  t aught  by  SaulAl ins ky, t he fat h erof co mmunit yorgani zing,  w ho often  spoke about the import ance o f get tin g peopletoc ont ribute ev en a s little a s 5 0 c entstog et th em i n ve ste d  in a  cau s e. (Obama be gan h is  work as ac o m mun ity o rga n izer i n Ch icago in 1985, mo r e than a decad e af t e r A lin s ky d ie d, but studied  Al in s k y's meth od s.)

"Oncea person  d o es an ything , that  person i sl ikelyto d o s ome other  th in g ," Malb in  s a id. In  tha trespec t, Mal b in s a i d, Obama's small  dono r s  ared ram atica ll y diffe r entfrom those  of HowardDean,the2004Democra ti c cand ida te  who first tapped in to sm all giv in g ov erthe In tern e t  butwasun abl e to tran s l at e  t ha t  su ppor t int ovote s.

"It's not just  ab o ut gett in g t h e  small gi f t ," said Ma lbi n. "I t ' s about br i ngin g  a new
150,000 from_individuals who_gave small donations totaling_at least_$200,_compared with_less_than $20,000 for_Clinton and just_$2,140 for McCain.

Obama gets_20 percent of_his_campaign dollars from the biggest donors, those contributing the maximum $2,300 for the primary_campaign,_compared to_34_percent_for Clinton and 39 percent_for McCain, according to the_private Campaign_Finance Institute.

While little is known about the characteristics_of_Obama's smallest donors,_the impact of their giving is unquestioned.

Their combined purchasing_power has turbocharged Obama's campaign, allowing_him to do_virtually_everything_he wanted in state_after state in the prolonged Democratic_duel with Clinton. They also have_given Obama the luxury of spending more_time talking to the public and_less attending fundraisers, and have_created a_host of supporters working to_elect him.

"Anybody that_contributes, we_immediately call them_and ask them if they would_like to be_part of our organization," says Obama_campaign_manager David Plouffe._"Every_state_we go_into, we have_a_foundation of_support."

Not_only can Obama keep returning to_his_donors for repeat contributions — only 2_percent have given the_maximum_$2,300 — he still_has the potential to increase_his pool of contributors from the_names on_his 3-million-plus_e-mail list of contacts. Plouffe stresses that "we don't view our_online community as an ATM" —_rather as a network_of supporters_ready_to help in_all_sorts of_ways.

Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign_Finance Institute,_said even the smallest contribution helps_voters feel they have_a_stake in the campaign. Obama, he_said, has taken to heart a_lesson taught by Saul Alinsky,_the_father_of community organizing, who often_spoke about the importance of getting_people to contribute_even as little as 50 cents to_get_them invested in a cause. (Obama_began_his work as a community organizer_in_Chicago_in 1985, more than a_decade after Alinsky died, but studied_Alinsky's methods.)

"Once a person does anything, that person is_likely to do_some other thing," Malbin said._In_that_respect, Malbin said, Obama's small donors are dramatically different from_those of_Howard Dean, the_2004 Democratic candidate who first tapped into small giving over_the Internet but was unable to translate_that support into votes.

"It's not just about getting the small gift,"_said Malbin. "It's about bringing a new