The campaign really could not have written a better script for this. It so encapsulates the essence of the Obama campaign and just who is fueling this amazing drive to the Democratic presidential nomination. Sam at the BO blog:

Zachary Ellison was on BarackObama.com at around 11:50 PM (Hawaii time) when he decided to donate to the campaign.

“I looked at the counter, and it was very close to a million,” says Zach, a student at University of Hawaii who works at a grocery store to help pay the bills. “I don’t have much money, but I decided I wanted to be a part of this.”

It is people like Zachary who are allowing Obama to turn down the big lobbyists that are fundraising for John McCain. There are one million people, including yours truly, who have invested some small amount in hope. That is one in every 300 Americans. Barack Obama is fulfilling the goals of public financing outside of the formal structure. The Obama campaign is as been written before: the Dean campaign on steroids. They have found the successful formula to convert inspiration and engagement into effective volunteer time and a donation program that both encourages repeat donors and expansion of the donor base. They are both effective and inspirational, no small feat.

They are inspiring kids like Zachary to donate to Obama, despite their own financial difficulties, or perhaps in his case, because of them.

Having attended a private college before U of Hawaii, Zach says he is nearly $90,000 in debt. “My parents are both retired and my family is not particularly well to do,” says Zach, “and I’m drowning in debt.”

“While other politicians have been dismissive of my generation,” says Zach. “I feel like Obama speaks directly to my generation.”

When we called Zach and let him that he was the one millionth person to donate to the campaign, he said he “was shaking with excitement.” Zach says he’s proud to be a part of this historic achievement: “This campaign showed me that you can run a campaign in a completely different way than campaigns are tradionally run. Small donations matter. People can really get together, get organized, and get it done.”

Like I said, the Obama campaign couldn’t have picked a more perfect person to be the 1 millionth donor.

Clinton just announced that she will raise at least $35 million this month. Obama raised $36 million last month. I expect him to come close to doubling Clinton’s total. They are being very quiet because the numbers are so good. They will be jaw dropping when they do release them.

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