Obama campaign mulls what to do with $30M surplus

Obama‘s organization retains some $30 million after his successful presidential bid, but it‘s unclear how the Democratic president-in-waiting might use the money. Members of his party are doing their best to appeal for the funds without appearing greedy, ungrateful or hostile to their new leader.

"We need the resources to build the national grass roots network for the Obama agenda. We need to make sure the president is successful and that the administration fulfills his promises," Buckley said.

Obama raised more than $745 million during his marathon campaign, more than twice the amount obtained by his rival, Republican John McCain. In his latest finance report, Obama reported raising $104 million in more than five weeks immediately before and after Election Day.

Obama opted not to participate in public funding system. In exchange, he was able to continue raising money, while McCain accepted $84 million in taxpayer money, and the spending restrictions that went with it, through the public financing system.

Democrats blamed Kerry‘s loss, in part, on a campaign hierarchy that didn‘t spend wisely or aggressively. Kerry‘s own campaign chairman, Terry McAuliffe, called it "gross incompetence to hoard that money when the race was bound to be so close."

"We aren‘t in a position to announce what the next steps for our organization are today, but are continuing a dialogue with our supporters about their vision for how we move forward," said Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt.

"Right now, it looks like the sky is the limit," Gross said.

On Wednesday, Obama send a fundraising e-mail to his supporters asking them to help retire that debt by buying coffee mugs or fleece sweat shirts. Obama and Democratic aides alike say they would use similar efforts going forward, but were aware that asking too often could dilute the effectiveness of the list.

"That‘s not too attractive, but it‘s something," Gross said.



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