If Sen. Obama succeeds in winning the independent-minded tech community, then he'll have an excellent base for future donors.
From the San Jose Mercury News:
Obama-mania has hit the Bay Area.
Tech-savvy politicos have formed a Silicon Valley-based political action committee supporting Barack Obama. A major local fundraiser is being planned for next month for the Illinois senator, who posted an Internet video announcing an exploratory committee for a 2008 presidential run. Bay Area politicians say the media-genic, mixed-race Obama is a natural for California and could go far here.
The PAC, created by San Jose Democratic consultant Jude Barry, raised $30,000 in the final week of December in Silicon Valley.
Onetime TechNet adviser Wade Randlett, a San Francisco fundraiser for Obama, says the phone is ringing off the hook from potential contributors and volunteers.
San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, an Obama friend, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, say his story ``reflects America.''
In ways few politicians have, Obama has ``already crossed from the political culture to celebrity culture,'' says Barry, who launched obama4america.com earlier this week at the urging of former eBay executive Tom Adams. While 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean revolutionized fundraising on the Internet, Barry, who was Dean's California director in 2004, and others predict Obama will take campaigning a step further -- to the YouTube generation.
From the Associated Press:
Senator Barack Obama has not yet officially said he is running for president, but supporters in Silicon Valley are already pulling out their wallets and preparing for his bid.
Tech-savvy politicos in the wealthy California region have formed a political action committee backing the Illinois Democrat and is planning a major local fundraiser for next month.The Silicon Valley-based P-A-C, created by San Jose Democratic consultant Jude Barry, already raised 30-thousand in December.
