Franklin Forum Roundup: Obama Campaign Insider Shares Tips

The campaign was so motivated to get a high number of donors because of the McCain-Feingold Act, which allows individual donors to give no more than $2,300 each. So the campaign needed a higher number of donors to make up the difference.

According to Ehrenwerth, Silicon Valley was one of the keys to the campaign's success. On the East Coast, fundraising for Obama began via traditional avenues, e.g., large ballroom galas where funders were asked to donate. But competition with the very popular, very connected Clinton campaign — which was raising money via the same methods — was tight. The West Coast was a different story, however. Out in Silicon Valley, a place dominated by many young, smart upstarts, Obama's story — and limited curriculum vitae — was very familiar and relatable, Ehrenwerth said.