Obama asks Americans to give him $5

His policies have put the economy in the tank and caused millions to lose their jobs, but President Barack Obama would still like you to give him $5.

It isn't a charitable donation, like he asked for on behalf of Haiti, but instead Obama would like you to send Organizing for America, a branch of the National Democratic Party, money for their activities and efforts in the coming election.

Rahm Emanuel spoke of the importance of never wasting a good crisis, and the President is apparently listening. In an email sent out July 21 to his supporters, Obama is using the current economic situation and his recent Wall Street reform "takeover" legislation to push his agenda further - and take some shots at Republicans in the process.

"Our special-interest opponents and their Republican allies have now set their sights on the elections in November as their best chance to overturn the historic progress we've made together," The President said in the email. "Organizing for America counts entirely on supporters like you to fight back -- no special interests, no corporate PACs." While Organizing for America claims not to accept corporate PAC money, it is a PAC itself, so it wouldn't need any.

"To keep making change and to defend the change we have already won, we need you -- and at least 14 other people in your area -- to contribute so we have the resources necessary going into the election. Please donate $5 today and help Organizing for America lay the groundwork for the fights ahead," the President said.

To justify asking America to fund Democratic campaigns, Obama claimed "the Recovery Act...has turned 22 months of job losses into six consecutive months of private-sector job growth." Obama's claim of private-sector job growth may actually be a case of creative math, as labor reports and the media, including the Washington Post, paint a contrary, dismal picture of job creation.

Most Obama supporters who received the Obama email on July 21 asking for political donations received a follow-up email again asking for money a few days later, because Organizing for America failed to reach their goal of 14 people in each community donating $5.

Sources: Organizing for America, Washington Post