The Obama campaign has trumpeted its volume of small donations and its $3 cover charge via incessant emails for entering various raffles (Win a Chance to Sit Five Tables Away from George Clooney!) and sweepstakes (Join Our Bus Tour for a Gas Station Stop in Iowa!).

But that doesn’t tell the entire emaul fundraising story.

The hardworking staff’s Brainiac nephew Colin sends this dispatch from the Obama emaul front:

The lady friend and I noticed today that Barack is asking each of us for different amounts of money, while the rest of the emails are the same.  Our working hypothesis here is that I gave >$25 to the campaign, while she has not donated anything.  Seems pretty standard from a marketing point of view (i.e., it is easier to get someone to donate again than to donate the first time, so you make the barrier to entry $3), but this seemed up your alley.  I attached one example below, though there are plenty (they are persistent, aren’t they!).

Email #1:

Colin —

Last night, Mitt Romney officially accepted the Republican Party’s nomination to challenge me — and you — in the general election on November 6th.

It’s going to be a hard-fought battle. That’s why I need you to stand with me before tonight’s fundraising deadline. Chip in $25 or more.

After three straight months of being outraised, and recently being outspent — in some key states more than 3 to 1 — your support before the deadlinecouldn’t be more urgent.

What we do right now will determine if we can knock on more doors, make more phone calls, and talk to more voters before November 6th.

I’m proud to be a part of a campaign like ours, but the only way it works is if each of us does our part.

Please make a donation of $25 or more before midnight:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Midnight-Deadline

In less than a week, I’ll accept our party’s nomination for president in Charlotte, and I know I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for you.

Thank you for all you’re doing.

Barack

Email #2:

Karin —

Last night, Mitt Romney officially accepted the Republican Party’s nomination to challenge me — and you — in the general election on November 6th.

It’s going to be a hard-fought battle. That’s why I need you to stand with me before tonight’s fundraising deadline. Chip in $3 or more.

After three straight months of being outraised, and recently being outspent — in some key states more than 3 to 1 — your support before the deadline couldn’t be more urgent.

What we do right now will determine if we can knock on more doors, make more phone calls, and talk to more voters before November 6th.

I’m proud to be a part of a campaign like ours, but the only way it works is if each of us does our part.

Please make a donation of $3 or more before midnight:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Midnight-Deadline

In less than a week, I’ll accept our party’s nomination for president in Charlotte, and I know I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for you.

Thank you for all you’re doing.

Barack

Clever, yes?

But not as smart as Colin.