Obama Taps Two Worlds To Fill 2008 War Chest

But after an overture from the Obama campaign that included a copy of one of the senator's books, Dornbush said he thought Obama "had a genuine heartfelt respect for people whose opinions might be different."

After half an hour with Obama in Washington, Dornbush enlisted in the campaign.

From the outset, Obama tried to establish a "Washington outsider" image -- moving his campaign operations to Chicago and making a bold promise to refuse checks written or gathered by registered federal lobbyists.

The campaign received $50,566 from 49 lobbyists, but aides flagged the checks during initial screening and said they will return the money. Still, for hosting events and otherwise raising money, the Obama fundraising team is relying on partners in lobbying firms who are not registered for specific clients, former lobbyists who recently dropped clients and spouses of lobbyists. The strategy allows Obama's team to reach the wealthy clients of lobbying firms while technically complying with his pledge.

Joanne Hannett, whose husband, Fred, is a lobbyist for UnitedHealth Group and other clients, is helping raise money for Obama. Although Fred Hannett attended an Obama event, he said he has not personally donated any money or "solicited any of my clients."

Obama also has no prohibition against using state lobbyists to raise money, even when they represent companies with business before the federal government.

"I like that he is not accepting money from federal lobbyists," said Bellamy, a onetime federal lobbyist who now lobbies the Maryland legislature for such clients as Internet giant AOL and defense contractor Lockheed Martin. "I think people find that interesting and insightful that he won't be beholden to those with interests before the federal government."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the rule "isn't a perfect solution to the problem and it isn't even a perfect symbol, but it is representative of the kind of administration Obama is going to have."

Pritzker said Obama could have fundraising momentum after the first quarter. "I think that cycle between excitement and enthusiasm and money is beginning, and I think it is really feeding on itself," she said. "It feels very solid."

Certainly, the mood in the Washington ballroom reflected that. Fundraisers left with red folders stuffed with campaign contacts and the dates of coming events. They clamored to join policy advisory groups and pledged to seize on the mood Obama referred to -- the palpable desire for political change.

Still, Obama faces the prospect of an energized Clinton campaign, armed with a donor list of 250,000 names it has not fully tapped. And even Obama's fundraising success could have a downside if it undermines the contrast he has sought to draw between himself and his rivals.

Speaking to voters in New Hampshire earlier this month, as the news broke of his formidable first-quarter haul, he tried to remind them that he has "always tried to curb the influence of money in politics."

"Listen," he told them, "I would love not to have to raise money so I could spend all my time in town hall meetings."