TravelerBill and I have written several diaries about Stephen Colbert's Pennsylvania Straw Poll fundraiser, Democralypse Now. It allows people to donate money to PA school classrooms in the name of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. The candidate with the most donations in their name "wins" the straw poll. The goal was $66,001 per candidate.
And now, two weeks later, Obama supporters have surpassed that to raise more than $100,000 for Pennsylvania schoolkids.
This is what is says over at Donorschoose.org about the generosity of Obama supporters (emphasis mine):
Thank you, Obama supporters and citizens of the Colbert Nation! You have blown through the original $66,001 funding goal, and Pennsylvania teachers have responded with incredible enthusiasm. Hundreds of teachers, from Philadelphia to Erie and everywhere in between, are now posting classroom needs. This is a one-time opportunity to make a profound impact on public schools in the Keystone state, so Stephen Colbert now challenges you to reach the increased goal of $150,001!
Since Obama's supporters have raised over $105,000, (with 1490 donors), Stephen Colbert is moving the goalpost to $150,001. That is more than twice the original fundraising goal! This money provides more than 20,000 schoolchildren with educational tools they would not otherwise have.
Clinton's supporters aren't there, yet, having raised just over $16,000 (from 144 donors). But that's still more than 4,000 children whose classrooms are getting much-needed money for books, supplies, and education programs. In all, supporters of both Democratic candidates have raised more than $120,000. (I went to high school in Philadelphia, and I know these classrooms need the money.) This means a great deal to those students, and their teachers.
Now, I am interested in this straw poll because it seems like a good way to get people to step back from the inflammatory rhetoric about their favorite candidate, and focus on the big picture. People are throwing around the idea that if their candidate doesn't become the Democratic nominee they will vote for McCain, or not vote at all. If you think that supporters of the "other Democrat" are the enemy, consider this: how much have McCain supporters raised to help these children out? Nothing. Not one single cent. Unlike our Republican counterparts, supporters of both Democratic Presidential want schoolchildren get the supplies they need and make a big difference in the lives of schoolchildren. Republicans don't care about our nation's schools, and wish that the war in Iraq could last forever. That is what you will get with President McCain: undersupplied classrooms and a war that goes on forever. Voting for McCain won't punish Clinton or Obama, it will punish this entire nation.
So, let's settle our differences and give money to a worthy cause. Obamacans: you are blowing away the Clinton supporters, and winning the Straw Poll. Wouldn't it feel good to hear that reported on the Colbert Report? Clintonistas: get donations in her name up to $66,000, and show PA what fighting for the little guy looks like. Show your support for your candidate and "vote" in the straw poll. Donate $1, $5 or $10 (or more, if you can) in the name of Your Favorite Democrat, and let's see if we can't show these students what hope looks like.