Description: President Obama’s campaign group was known for masterful fundraising leading up to the 2008 election. Most knowledgeable sources forecast that the group will raise in excess of $1 billion for his re-election bid.

Source: J. Weisman & D. Yadron, “Inside the Obama Money Machine,” Wall Street Journal

Date: November 19, 2011

Article Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577042142257818640.html

Questions for discussion:

1. This is strategy of a different kind, but there is still an organization involved. What competitive advantages, operational not political, does the Obama campaign possess?
2. What type of organizational structure would you assign to President Obama’s fundraising? Why?
3. The donor network for the 2008 campaign was described as organic. That notion has been challenged by analysts studying Obama fundraising for the current election cycle. What are the characteristics of an organic design/network? Would these describe fundraising in 2008? How about for 2012?