This cycle Barack Obama is crafting a new approach to political fundraising by obtaining smaller amounts from more supporters. By generating enough excitement for his ’08 campaign, Obama is receiving smaller donations, $100 or perhaps less from hundreds of thousands of people across the country. In doing so, the campaign is able to return to these smaller donors month after month to collect more cash. This new brand of thinking is already paying dividends, as Obama has shattered fundraising records thus far.

The Edwards campaign understands the value of small donors as well.  During the month of June, Edwards focused on “small change for big change” fundraisers.  The main goal for these events is to cultivate a list of small donors that the campaign can turn to in the future.  In addition, by emphasizing small donor events, the campaign brings new people in the political process.  Edwards used SMS technology for the first ever text message fundraiser, which also focused on smaller contributions.