CNN

You left something out. There is more than one reason for the Obama store. A very important one is to insure that all merchandise that carries his logo is made in the USA.

Hey Providence,

I'm a little confused as to how Barack is a villain. But on to the real problem. If your best argument against Barack is that he said he wouldn't run for president back in 2004, then you should go join you fellow neo-cons in Congress that are continuing to block the wishes of the American people. I bet you voted for Bush when he said he would defend our country look out for the well-being of every citizen. We see how that turned out. Your argumentation skills are impeccable.

I agree w/the previous posted who posted this:

"I’d like to hear more about how Hillary Clinton has taken Lobbyist money, and bought her endorsements, and less of this trying to make Obama look bad but failing miserably press coverage. If trying to make Obama look bad by pointing out his awesome fundraising abilities is all they can come up with on Obama, then that speaks pretty well of him."

You all are MISSING THE STORY HERE! For crying out loud,, my aunt still thinks he's a MUSLIM because of CNN... Puh-LEEEZE! I've donated multiple times to BARACK OBAMA's campaign. I've bought merch to support him and donated small donations many times. I can't afford to drop 2k each time. I donate as I can afford it BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THIS MAN AND WHAT HE STANDS FOR.

You are trying to cheapen his/our victory. YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US. WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH.

BARACK OBAMA 08!!!

What's wrong CNN, the Clinton's pressuring you for bigger support? I proudly wear my "Got Hope?" t-shirt, and if my purchase is considered a contribution, well then I'm proud to say I'm a contributor to his campaign. And the fact that the merchandise is sold directly through his campaign, and not outsourced, makes me respect him even more.

Like many others, Senator Obama is the first political candidate that has me excited about what can be accomplished. He has repeatedly said that he can't turn this country around by himself. It will require that a large portion of citizens DEMAND change.

As for the knock on Senator's Obama experience. I like the fact that he isn't beholden to any special interests and hasn't been in Washington that long. The country is not run by one person alone. They should respond themselves with the best and brightest in their fields. I'm confident Senator Obama will do that when he wins the White House.

"Experience" can often be over-rated. Governing the State of Texas and watching his father in the White House for 12 years gave President Bush a lot of experience and look where that has brought us.

I never see anyone like Obama who has all the combiantions of good leadership. this man indeed is a keeper of men. He came to my school last week and said what everyone wanted to hear.he is a star

I think it says a lot about politics in our country when it's newsworthy that a candidate is raising money by actually selling something.

I've donated with and without recieving merchandise. It's all the same. Whenever someone is doing good you have, for lack of a better word, haters that hate to see people doing good.

I agree: the real news is all the money the candidates get from lobbyists and special interest groups–not the money they get from T-shirts.

Wow, i was just mentioning the merch sales in my SG column, I've been in the music business for 30 yearts, any band would kill for thiose numbers!

So, whats next? backstage passes??

Obama unplugged?

Who is the tour manager? hope they tour:smart!

martin Atkins
Chicago
Illannoys

Again, Obama is an empty shell with no substance! Obama has terrible records when he was a state senator. He voted for partial abortion (crushing the skull of the baby)!!!! in Illinois. Obama lacks experience! If you nominate Obama, Democrats lose general election. One may smile and smile and smile, and still be a villain- Shakespeare. That is Obama. Do you remember what hee said in 2004? He would NEVER RUN for white house! Didn't he say that? And here we are! You want to vote for a person like that?

Doesn't it seem fishy that there have been a ton of "mini-scandals" reported against Obama, all of which have had no substance of have been "minor" at best. For instance, Hillary probably has thousands of Rezkos out there, yet the MSM held on to Obama's for a month. They attacked his wife for "corporate connections" even though the Obamas are by far the least affluent real candidate.

Why don't we see Hillary's dirty donors, or are we supposed to believe that she's just that ethical of a politician?

To say the least,i am proud of Obama.From the first time i heard of him till date,i am continuosly amazed by the spirit of this great African-American.Believe me,This is the man America has been waiting for.America take your fate in your hands,your destiny has been mortaged but here is your saviour,give him the opportunity and you will never regret it.I wish the leaders in Africa were Obama-like ,then even the sky would not limit Africa.

This campaign is great political experience for a guy who doesn't have enough to win in '08 or to govern. Harvard Law Review and community organizing in Chicago is not enough. Maybe in 4 or 8 years.

I'm not an Obama fan, but am an advocate for honesty in media. This article is designed to give one impression, only undone if you read the article far enough. You get the impression that the author doesn't wish you to be impressed with Obama. This kind of manipulation is what robs jounalism as an occupation of respect.

I am glad people are finally seeing Barack Obama for who his really is and what he represents. I say "Go Boy" . It's wonderful to have a hands down choice instead of choosing between the best of two evils(guess who that was). Thank God he can't run again and the other isn't running.

I can't wait for Obama to take all guns away, get rid of the border between the U.S, Canada and Mexico, make a bigger government and possibly use a preemptive nuclear strike on Iran. It's gonna be great. Go Obama.

I'd like to hear more about how Hillary Clinton has taken Lobbyist money, and bought her endorsements, and less of this trying to make Obama look bad but failing miserably press coverage. If trying to make Obama look bad by pointing out his awesome fundraising abilities is all they can come up with on Obama, then that speaks pretty well of him.

He doesn't have to try to inflate his numbers, they are what they are, and they speak for themselves.. Whether they send a check or purchase merchandise from the campaign, both are contributions. Period. This is just ridiculous to insinuate that Obama is in some way cheating or lying about his doners..

Obama just gets it. The other candidates are just jealous and some jerk wants to accuse him of fudging the numbers?

The facts don't lie. He gets respect and money from the people because he respects our intelligence.

CNN says:

"...but some people seem to be questioning the way he is adding up his numbers."

Pardon me, but lots of people question lots of things. It's not news everytime someone is skeptical about something. If what Obama is doing is entirely legit, which this article seems to eventually concede, then CNN is unfairly misleading their readers in this opening paragraph.

Come on guys, be journalists, not gossip spreaders.

You are correct. There is nothing wrong except the appearances that he has all of these donors. It has been a bragging point of his campaign for months. He's trying to do it with smoke and mirrors. That won't last. The press is giving him a free ride.

I am going to go buy Tshirts for everyone in my family right now. Barack the Vote!

I have purchased Obama shirts, buttons, and stickers (Made in the USA!) and made outright (although small – $15, $25) contributions to the Obama '08 campaign. Why would I do any of this when I have never been involved in politics before? Because I want change and I think Barack Obama is the true choice for change. I am 37 and I was a Republican since registering to vote at 18, but I recently switched my political affiliation to Democrat. How wonderful that the Obama campaign is doing their best to account for every contribution, in whatever form.

The Clinton News Network strikes again!

I hope they are paying you alot from Bill Clinton's 40 million. This is ridiculous, do you people not know that God is watching you? Do you even care? This man is changing the way we think about politics, the way we should look at each other. Why aren't you doing a story on all the Republicans that are supporting this man? Why aren't you doing a story on President Reagan supporters who see so much of him in this man? I don't get it. God is going to get you people, I pray for your souls.

There is nothing inherently wrong with what Obama is doing is there? I think the media is doing everything to damp the momentum that Barack is building. He represents a break from the past–the Clinton dynasty. I hope people vote for the future and not the past (billary). Do we really want two decades of bush, clinton? are there no wise leaders in this country other than those two families. Give me a break. I will vote for a future.

Barack is changing the face of the political landscape in this country. Never in the history of our country has there been such outpouring of support at the grassroot level. I'm glad to be a part of what Barack envision for this country of ours.

Obama is a fresh new spirit, thus the excitement. His "experience" doesn't bother me. He will surround himself with "experts," just like the other presidents did.

To: CNN

With all due respect...Dude what's you issue with Obama?! So what if he raises money through merchandise. It's great that he makes money off of
t-shirts rather than owing some lobbyist or special interest group. This should be a good thing yet your so-called reporting is trying to turn it into a negative. Why is it that CNN does not report on all of the lobbyist and special interest groups that other presidential candidates take money from? That is real news! It seems you guys really hate Obama.

CNN didn't the merchandise make up only 1% of Obama's donations. That is a minute amount of 32 million dollars. Just keeping them honest!!!

The real story is where this "whispering campaign" is coming from and why some journalists are willing to play along when it's obvious the Obama campaign did nothing wrong.

I bet an Obama sticker that the Clinton campaign had a hand in this. And I'd bet an Obama shirt that the media won't investigate it.

for what it's worth, i donated before he sold merchandise. then donated again when there was a lot of flak about how he was a just an inexperience flash in the pan. i also cajoled friends and family to do likewise–and I never do that kind of thing. then when bumper stickers became available on line i bought one and rounded up my purchase with a donation to the campaign (about $15 additional dollars). then i got an email a week or two later and donated again right before the deadline another $25. so, assuming that he has other supporters like me, who want to see him win but don't have a lot of money and are not plugged into the democratic fundraising circuit, i do not think is a wild supposition to say that while yes his donors are buying merchandise, they are also making straight-up donations, and the purchase of merchandise is not just about giving financial support it is also about broadcasting my support for his candidacy–sort of my own testimonial that i agree with a lot of what he is saying. his is the first national campaign i have bought a bumper sticker and sign for. i am 34 years old. trust me obama is not some fad, he is the first politician in my lifetime who has truly inspired me. and i suspect i am not alone.