Dear Friend,

Candidates typically spend a week like this -- right before the critical June 30th financial reporting deadline -- on the phone day and night, begging Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to write huge checks.

Not me. Our campaign has rejected the money-for-influence game and refused to accept funds from registered federal lobbyists and political action committees.

But there are serious financial consequences to that decision.

Cutting off the flow of easy Washington money means we have to work harder. Instead of relying on a handful of powerful interests, we must bring together hundreds of thousands of supporters, each owning an individual piece of our movement.

It's one thing to talk about financing campaigns differently. It's another for us to take that risk and put our trust in one another.

The June 30th deadline will prove that this era of broken politics and widespread cynicism is coming to a close. We're ready for that change, and together we can turn the page.

The rest of the country, and the world, is watching. They want to see if we can shake up the politics of the past and set the tone for this election and the future of our democracy.

Now is the time to make your first donation and be part of something big:

http://www.barackobama.com/inspire

But don't stop there.

If we're going to get hundreds of thousands of people to join our movement, we need to do something different. That's why I'm turning the rest of this fundraising drive over to you.

This is the last you will hear from me until after the June 30th deadline.

From here on out, your stories and your passion will determine our success. When you make a donation, I want you to share what inspired you to join our movement. For the rest of the week, those stories -- including your story -- will drive the results.

Something powerful and personal inspired you to join our movement. It may be your family's rising health care costs or a relative fighting in Iraq. You might be fed up with corruption in Washington or frustrated by how petty and divisive our national politics has become.

Whatever your reasons, they will connect with someone else and they will make a difference. Make your donation now and share what inspired you to support our movement for change:

http://wwww.barackobama.com/inspire

Pundits and Washington insiders use these fundraising deadlines to measure the viability of campaigns. They like to judge potential in dollars, as if money alone somehow indicates widespread support.

But we measure success in people -- the number of supporters giving to the campaign, and the number of donations they make to show their commitment.

We can get at least 10,000 people involved this week, but only if you take control.

Each of us must reach out to the people we know -- our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors -- and inspire them to join our movement for change.

Donate now. Share your story and spread the word:

http://www.barackobama.com/inspire

Watch our website and your inbox for real stories from supporters like you.

This fundraising deadline is an important challenge for our campaign, but I know I can put my trust in you.

I have faith that we will succeed, and it won't be because of me -- it will be because each of you has the power to inspire.

Thank you.

Barack Obama

P.S. -- We've built something together that's bigger than me or my candidacy. I just made my own donation to this movement and wrote a short note about how you've inspired me:

I've seen what can happen when people who love their country come together and decide it's time for change. As a community organizer in the South Side of Chicago, I was part of a movement that turned around neighborhoods that others had given up on. I know what's possible for this country. I know we can build a new kind of politics that recognizes we're all connected as one people, that we rise or fall as one nation, and that we're ready to turn the page and start anew.

Who can you inspire? Get started here:

http://www.barackobama.com/inspire