“Putting aside the entirely legitimate liberal criticism of Obama’s prosecution of the war on terror, his penchant for secrecy and his disappointing civil liberties record…” [Greg Sargent/WaPo]

Speaking of Shocking! — because what isn’t? — ABC’s getting some attention today for its new poll:

Just 37 percent in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll say they expect Obama to win re-election in November 2012; 55 percent instead expect the eventual Republican nominee to win.

ABC is smart enough to note that a similar March 1992 poll called a landslide for Bush I, and that’s really the game we’re playing here: Republicans hoping they can swipe a re-election from a sitting Preznit.

But this news is based on Question 41 of a 42-question poll — and the other questions are “held for release”. We’d be very curious to see whether the same people who expect Obama to lose are voting for him anyway.

Our guest columnist is the increasingly desperate Rufus Gifford of the Obama campaign.

I’m the national finance director here at OFA.

I know we’ve been sending you a lot of email lately. That’s because we’re staring down a critical fundraising deadline tomorrow at midnight.

You know what that means for your inbox, but let me give you a sense of what that looks like around here.

The staff and I are working around the clock, powered by too much coffee. It’s been way too long since we called our moms. And we’ve all had more pizza and bad takeout in the past few weeks than anyone should have in a year…

If you’re able to, will you chip in $3 today?

[via email/Nabisco]

Our guest columnist is Obama for America’s Ann Marie Habershaw, who is getting a little desperate.

As chief operating officer of this campaign, I’m the person people come to when they want to spend the money you’ve donated.

All the budgets, calculations, and planning lead to a simple “yes” or “no.” Yes, you can buy coffee and clipboards for neighborhood organizers in Ohio. No, you can’t have a fancy computer when a cheaper one does the job. That sort of thing.

Every team on the campaign has submitted their plans for the rest of this year — opening field offices, registering voters, building technology. And it all costs money.

I can’t say yes to everything — but what you do right now can help me say yes to more.

We have a critical fundraising deadline coming up on September 30th.

Help me say yes by giving $3 or more today.

[via email]

Barack Obama demonstrates how to erase a World Leader from the official record without using Photoshop.

Barack Obama joins Open Government Partnership for group photo [MSNBC]

Our Special Guest Columnist for Stinque Post #5,000 is The President of The United States.

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by midnight on 9/30/11. You may enter by contributing to Sponsor at https://donate.barackobama.com/Dinner-with-Barack-Sept or click here, http://my.barackobama.com/Dinner-with-Barack-Alt-Sept, to enter without contributing. Four winners will each receive the following prize package: one round-trip ticket from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations for one; and dinner with President Obama on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate combined retail value $1,050). Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 18 or older (or of majority under applicable law). Promotion subject to Official Rules, http://my.barackobama.com/Dinner-Rules-Sept, and additional restrictions on eligibility. Sponsor: Obama for America, 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601.

Can we meet for dinner? [Obama campaign email]

Excerpt the First:

This isn’t about politics — it’s about what’s best for the American people, period.

Excerpt the Second:

Please make a donation of $25 to support the 2012 campaign today.

We’re voting “Snow Jobs”.