October 26, 2007
Posted: October 26th, 2007 07:15 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN ) – Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign lost a seasoned fundraiser Friday to Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York.

Bob Farmer has worked on Democratic presidential campaigns since former Sen. John Glenn’s presidential run in 1984. Until recently, he served on Obama’s national finance committee before deciding to leave for the Clinton camp. Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton told CNN that Farmer has not raised any funds for the campaign.

When asked what Farmer did for the campaign, Burton told CNN “nothing.”

– CNN Political Producer Xuan Thai

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


April,charlestown,s.c   October 28th, 2007 2:54 pm ET

I would hate to think how Cnn is campaigning for Hillary. Without Cnn always wanting us to think otherwise I think hillary would have quit by now. The sad part is people don't do what the media tells them to. And that makes me hope that Obama is the candidate no matter the negative

Maru of Virginia   October 28th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

So Hillory has cheated again. She probably blackmailed the guy, forcing him to spy on the Obama campaign.
The polls. Has she manipulated the poll results also? Funny, very few people express interest in Hillory entering a new era of Clinton Gate.

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 27th, 2007 9:24 pm ET

(notice...not violating the "rules")

John – look up Saul Alinsky...and see how Hillarys entitlement offerings seem to mirror his teachings....then realize he was a grassroots Marxist (Hillarys teacher)

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 27th, 2007 9:22 pm ET

John

Here are the rules (again)

1-4 sentences – you are making a point

5-10 sentences – you are making a long winded point

11-? you are a raving lunatic

please re-read your rant – check out Hillarys "Hillraisers" – basically people wanting to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom for campaign contributions....(no way a Clinton would ever do that)??

The Good One   October 27th, 2007 7:57 pm ET

Oh! Poor Obama supporters! Not getting your way on this one and calling CNN biased? You guys better do a lot better than that if you want your empty, shallow candidate to win.

Don't blame CNN. This isn't China.

Ron, TX   October 27th, 2007 7:46 pm ET

Ron, TX:

Mr Bob Farmer never admitted he didn't raise money for Sen. Obama. That statement was issued by Obama's campaign. I will give you a benefit of doubt that your mistake was not an intent to mislead. For the record from FEC filing, Bob Farmer made $2300 personal donation to Obama's campaign in April, made another $2300 donation to Edwards campaign in June and another personal donation of $2300 to Mrs. clinton's campaign in July.

Posted By Meks, Florida : October 27, 2007 4:48 pm

???
From the article, "When asked what Farmer did for the campaign, Burton told CNN “nothing.”"

Don't offer to give me the "benefit of the doubt"... learn to read! He told -CNN- that he hasn't even done anything. Start fact checking instead of ignorantly believing every talking point Hillary Clinton sends you in an email.

John, California   October 27th, 2007 5:35 pm ET

Chris, Middletown, CT:

Sen Obama takes money from state lobbyist but not from federal lobbyist. That much he has admitted and stated as a matter of fact. I believe this alone renders you comments irrelevant and non pluasible. He was in the state senate before upgrading to federal senator so he has been taking money from these state lobbyist which is his own base. He has not attracted federal lobbyist because he is only 2 years in the senate. On the contrary Mrs. Clinton has been in the senate for 6 years and have beeen taking campaign donation from federal lobbyist and not state lobbyist. Can i understand the difference here? Is this no a classic BS? So you really believe there are two types of lobbyist? Maybe you do but i leave that to ordinary citizens to judge. You mention chinatown donations. Again you levied misleading statements. This was an open fundraiser in which these chinafolks (i believe many of them are illegal immigrants anyway) donated money ranging from $50 to $2000 though they are doing menial jobs. Do you insinuate they can't donate such amounts? Then you live a make-believe world. Most of these immigrants having savings in cash more than most average americans. Their way of life and conservatism allow them to keep most of their savings while we indulge in all luxuries of lfe and burn ours. Google for the immigrant from chile who ICE seized $59,000 cash from. What was his work. he washes dishes. ICE also said this is common. The mexican immigrants from official financial records sends $2 billion to families back in Mexico. So my point is that they can make that donation while an average american family may not. If you are arguing if they willingly gave the money, i'll agree with you that they may not have. Do they all know Mrs Clinton? Of course not. This is an association with elected leaders and the leaders decide what is best for the group. I believe the association decided they should donate that money to Clinton's campaign. Is it right or wrong? From your level of sophistication, it is wrong based on your comments but is it actually wrong from the perception of the majority members of chinatown. My answer is no. This is the same association that take care of their issues including legal, housing, economic, etc. Will you find some not satisfied? yes you will but overall their interest are best represented by these association in their initial years in this country.
Lastly, while you are so keen to cast aspersion on Mrs Clinton, i implore you to be at least balanced in your emotions before castigating another person. Sen Obama had several thousands, if not millions of contribution money coming from infants ranging from 6 months to 11 years and they are mostly $2300. While the story about the chinatown had every person anonymous except the writer of the story, this story on infants making contributions had the names of the families and persons involved in the scandal with the writer interviewing a few of them. Go to Washington Post and read the absurdities the families involved gave as excuse for having infants a year old donating $2300. The reason why the story is being killed in the media is because of the strings being pulled by David Gaffen and his friends. If you don't know him, he is the californian billionaire that drafted him to run, who has a political score to settle with former Pres. Clinton and has vested interests in the media with his friends. What am i saying? You know about the story but you chose to ignore it to hammer another candidate you do not support. You are no better than the person you are criticizing or your candidate. Can you understand now why some candidates lose steam? It is when you try to exhibit holier than thou attitude only for people to discover you are the same if not worse than others.

Meks, Florida   October 27th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

Ron, TX:

Mr Bob Farmer never admitted he didn't raise money for Sen. Obama. That statement was issued by Obama's campaign. I will give you a benefit of doubt that your mistake was not an intent to mislead. For the record from FEC filing, Bob Farmer made $2300 personal donation to Obama's campaign in April, made another $2300 donation to Edwards campaign in June and another personal donation of $2300 to Mrs. clinton's campaign in July.

Meks, Florida   October 27th, 2007 4:41 pm ET

You can support any democratic candidate you want but only one of them will win 2008 election. Sen. Obama can NEVER win the general election. If you think otherwise, then you are living in dreams. Which state did Al Gore or Kerry lose that Obama can he win? None. Nada. Please you guys should quit this foolery and understand winning 2008 election is the ultimate price. No liberal or rightwing nut will ever WIN general election in a long time to come. What do you think killed Kerry's chances? This was a moderate senator who moved to liberal position and he lost the general election. All the democratic candidates are too liberal for the majority moderates in this country. Let's get real!!! It is obvious from your comments here that most of you are either leftwing loons or rightwing nuts bloggers and do not represent ordinary or real people. This is the reason why bloggers' opinions are always different from ordinary citizens views. You loons and nuts should stop disparaging this country with your deranged views, opinions, concocted lies, demagoguery and false allegations. Let the best democratic candidate win whoever the people decide to nominate but the fact remains that like it or hate it, neither Obama nor Edwards will EVER win the general election. Nobdody wants to say it because they will be accused of racism and bigotry so the majority remains silent while the minority keeps drumming. You either win it next year or you wait another 8 years.

Ron, TX   October 27th, 2007 2:34 pm ET

This is a silly "news" article. To date, Bob Farmer has done ZERO to help the Obama campaign anyway. He self-admittedly has done nothing, and has raised nothing.

How about an article about the Clinton people that keep defecting to support Obama? There are a GOOD number of ex-Clinton aides and advisors that are now backing Barack Obama. That's much more of a news story than some guy who has done nothing for the Obama campaign leaving...

Steven in Charleston   October 27th, 2007 1:15 pm ET

Sen. Obama's camp just keeps disappointing me.

First, there was the flap with his invitation to a bigoted gay-bashing preacher to share the podium with him on his Gospel Tour. Now they choose to belittle the efforts of a man who has held a major leadership position with his campaign. And Obama is supposed to be an agent of change, eh? Sounds like politics as usual to me.

I'm not sure why Farmer left - and neither is anyone else on this board. But, in all liklihood it was either because he disagreed with some policy stances the Senator was taking, or he felt that his odds of succeeding against Sen. Clinton were decreasing. Either are valid reasons for someone dedicated to helping elect Democrats (as he has done for more than 20 years) to move on. It would have been nice if Obama had had the grace and dignity to say "these things happen, we wish him well" but apparently he allowed his ego to prevail.

When this whole election cycle began, Sen. Obama impressed me as a man of honesty, and integrity, and as someone who would bring a fresh start to the Oval Office. Unfortunately, by his own actions, Obama makes me less and less sure of that assessment.

Kim, Sacramento, CA   October 27th, 2007 12:23 pm ET

CNN does it again... You make a story out of one person going from the Obama campaign to the Clinton campaign yet, you can't take the time to show how many people that supported the Clinton administration are now heavily involved in the Obama campaign. I'll help you out with your practice of fair reporting – here is an article from the Boston Globe about people who were very close to the Clinton's but are working for Barack Obama: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/25/obama_luring_ex_bill_clinton_aides/

RuthieM   October 27th, 2007 11:27 am ET

So what, if he did 'nothing' good riddance to bad rubbish!

TheInsider   October 27th, 2007 11:19 am ET

Dear TheInsider,

I'm afraid your momentum-killer claims are inaccurate. All information I have indicates upward momentum from the Obama campaign. You underestimate the springboard he'll get from taking Iowa, and his inevitable traunching of the other candidates in South Carolina.
Posted By TheOtherInsider, H Street, D.C. : October 13, 2007 4:01 pm

He has fallen in the polls. His fundraising is down. On Monday, everyone will be able to see how much money he's blown to be so far behind.
The only momentum the Obama campaign has right now is backwards, and you don't even have to be an insider to see that.
Mark my words; Within two weeks (maybe less) the depth of the Obama campaign's troubles will be the biggest news coming from his camp.
PS Real political insiders can spell.

Posted By TheInsider : October 13, 2007 4:19 pm

Obama Fundraiser Defects to Clinton

By NEDRA PICKLER – 6 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — A longtime Democratic fundraiser has abandoned Barack Obama's campaign to help rival Hillary Rodham Clinton win the party's presidential nomination.

Bob Farmer, who was a top fundraiser for several past Democratic presidential candidates, had served on Obama's national finance committee.

What'd I tell you?
Posted By TheInsider : October 26, 2007 10:22 pm

bprossersme   October 27th, 2007 2:55 am ET

Oh, is he working for Soras now?

Insider   October 27th, 2007 2:55 am ET

Farmer was an obvious plant from the clinton patch. good riddance. You didn't fool anyone.

R.McCall San Jose CA   October 27th, 2007 1:58 am ET

If it walks, talks, and sounds like a plant...he must have been a plant. Good riddance to old and already bought and paid for rubbish.

LeRoy, New York City   October 27th, 2007 12:04 am ET

He's probably a mole for the Clinton campaign. I'm sure he can line up some more Norman Hsu type donations for Hillary. Her and Bill are always good for a number of millions of dollars from crooks that are looking for favors (and they are certainly willing to do that for those types).

Both the Clinton's are so devious and underhanded. They really should just move on to living off their book royalties and speaking fees...they've taken enough advantage from living off the government dole (professional politicians).

Maria, Houston   October 26th, 2007 9:30 pm ET

Another political prostitute joining Hillary's camp...what else is new, CNN?

Biggdawg, Chicago, Illinois   October 26th, 2007 9:22 pm ET

Somebody tell me how you get on someone's national campaign committee by doing "nothing". Either Obama's folks are lying or they're completely inept.

pam Eugene, OR   October 26th, 2007 9:16 pm ET

What's with you today CNN. The more I scroll down the worse you are tonight. You can not find one posotive thing to say about Obama in all your "stories" today. Give it a break and stop all your negative crap about Obama. It is our job to decide who to vote for and your job to give us the unbiased facts to make that decision. You are way too obvious today so dial it down...you must be getting really nervious about OBAMA.

Chuck, Chesapeake, VA   October 26th, 2007 8:45 pm ET

Clinton may yet defraud and steal her way to the presidency if voters don't wise up to the signs! If the polls are right, we don't have much time to analyze the forewarnings.

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 26th, 2007 8:33 pm ET

Funny....Hillary always trumped Obama on the amount of money raised....(mostly because she was taking from lobbyists...and "Hillraisers"....aka...Chinese dishwashers making 12K a year...donating 1K each....hmm...I guess that seems on the up and up (to a moron) – I don't know if the guy was a "plant" – but like everything Hillary touches....it smells...bad....(heres where the Hilliodiots run in to defend her....)

MarkieBee   October 26th, 2007 8:24 pm ET

He left when the campaign refused to pay his travel expenses. Good riddance.

Danny, San Diego, CA   October 26th, 2007 8:07 pm ET

Man, people have wild imaginations.

You know what Hillary planned on "planting" Bob Farmer when she was 5. She knew that she would run for President someday so she befriended Farmer when they were still kids.

A. Thomas, New York, NY   October 26th, 2007 7:15 pm ET

The Obama ship is sinking....

Nothing Like A Good Conspiracy Theory   October 26th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

Bob Farmer was a "plant" from the Clinton campaign. After attempting to secure access to strategies employed by the successful Obama campaign, he left, as originally intended, in an effort to help Clinton.

He didn't raise any money? Either he's really bad at his job, or he works for Hillary.

Ben   October 26th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

Good Riddance.

Paul, Dearborn MI   October 26th, 2007 6:46 pm ET

Wake Up America! We are on the eve of a Major Judgment against this Nation.

The Lord is a God of Love but also one of Judgment.
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=44353&id=205017

Iowa   October 26th, 2007 6:37 pm ET

So what? Do you lack information to accurately inform the American voters?

For every one fake voter that leaves the Obama camp 50 more genuine supporters will join the camp.

I know of 5 people who supported Clinton last month and have now switched to Edward. 15 more have switched to Obama camp to vote for him in the primary.

Please keep voters informed of things that are worth news.

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