<![CDATA[RealClearPolitics - Articles by Jeff Zeleny & Jackie Calmes]]>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/authors/?id=22536Author <![CDATA[Obama Has Eye on Money, Independent Voters]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500 WASHINGTON — President Obama did not directly ask supporters to send contributions as he formally opened his re-election bid on Monday. But to build the grass-roots network that he believes is essential to winning a second term, he is preparing to undertake the most ambitious fund-raising effort by a sitting president.

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Whether or not his campaign reaches the billion-dollar mark, as Republicans often suggest as an incentive to increase their own donations, the president’s aides have set a goal of surpassing the $750 million he...]]>