what great parents he must have to let him make this  sacrifice.  It is a character builder.

That's a bit sad. I mean, if this had been early on, I'd think it was great, that he wanted to be involved and was willing to sacrifice for it. But that money will probably end up paying off Mark Penn the millions they still owe him.

He was probably choked up like I feel at the moment. Wow, what an incredible and uplifting story. Thanks so much for reporting it Theresa.

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.

I hope this gives pause to the Clintons and brings them back to reality in their continuance of the campaign.

This kid sacrificed his vacation funding on the fleeting hope of a Hillary Clinton nomination because she routinely overrepresents her chances.

Now this boy's donation will probably go to pay Mark Penn or to counter Clinton's loan to herself.

To be sure, I never argue that Clinton should drop out early, but issues like this strike home.  I don't want impressionable kids getting a bad impression of politicians seven years before they can vote.

I hope Bill refunds the money. I respect the kid but not Bill for taking it.  

What an amazing child!  He may not be old enough to vote yet but he's already done more for his candidate than most folks ever will.

Well done T - HIGHLY REC'd!

It's great that the kid already has an interest in Democratic politics.

But this is why children don't vote.

I think its sad that people had to turn this diary into another moan session. Leave the kid alone

That is amazing from an eleven year old.   It would be very interesting to follow this kid as he grows.   I admit I had no such cognizance of the political world at 11.  I also admit I'd be hard pressed to allow my kids to toss money into either person's coffers.  

Think about what this may mean:    The idea that money talks and BS walks is already in his young head.  

Oh yeah.  Teresa, please lose the sig.  It discredits you.

Anyone find it weird a parent would let their kid give that much money away? I mean, I don't think I'd let me kid spend that much money on anything, except maybe a charity.

Clinton supporters should buy him a new better bike.  This is really really kind...and the dead should be returned.

I think it's great this kid did this. But I would definately hope that the Clintons return the money. Not that they have to. Or should. This was the kid's choice with his family involved, I'm sure. I'm glad for him.

Still, it's one thing to see a kid doing all this for, say, Burma relief. But this is a political campaign at its last legs, and there is ample media evidence (take that as you will) that the Clintons are trying to recoup some of that investment. Even someone with $100+ million would hurt losing $11 mil. But the impact is likely harder on the kid.

I'd hope they'd say, "that's okay," and return the money, but there is no reason they SHOULD do that other than my own view of political contributions and their use.

I'm not saying this is a bad story, or that the kid was wrong. And the idea that Obama supporters are trust fund kids is stupid and makes anyone who says it stupider. The data doesn't bear it out.

Both Hillary and Obama are trailblazers for a new kind of public participation, and are bringing more people to the polls than ever before -- people of all backgrounds and classes. It's telling that the democrats are doing this while the GOP is trying to limit participation. I'm totally awesomed out by all that.

But at some point, the reality has to set in. I'm proud of this kids' committment to participation -- even if the money was going to Mike Gravel. But in this case, at this time, it is a little sad. Kids need their bikes. If only to leaflet for Clinton before Tuesday.

It's an interesting conundrum.

This really is an inspirational story.

I hate to tell you but "the primary is over and your state doesn't really have a say."

And Hillary should have told you that, before you sold your bike.

Now Hillary should lend her campaign 440$ and buy this nice kid a bike, and start telling the voters the truth.

The truth is, she is only staying in now to pay her debts.

This story is so fake it's ridiculous.

Just like that letter Hillary "recieved" saying It's not over until

the lady in the pantsuit says it is. Give me a break.

The Clinton campaign is trying to sway public opinion (an reinforce sentiments among followers) by using an 11 year old and his bike.

It's pretty pathetic if you ask me.

I think it's great this kid is getting involved in politics and government at such a young age.  It does make me sad that he is doing without $400 to fund a campaign that is $25 million in debt now.  I think a better use of his resources would be to donate his time to GingOTV and educating people about his preferred candidate.  I do hope his recent sacrifice translates into a greater sense of philanthropy for society at large.  One can hope.

For comparison's sake, while not required by FEC regulations, a contributer must be at least 15 years old to donate to the Obama campaign.

theresa, hope you are well and that you see this note.  i would say see you in sept but can't see myself coming back to scranton unless hillary is the nominee or vp...we are not giving up here in upstate NY..a lot of us are making calls...and sending what we can...take care and thanks for the diary

first post-general-election e-mail, thanking his supporters.  He mentioned the founder of Kids for Kerry (another 11-year-old) and one who broke his piggy bank to donate.

I don't get emotional very often, but gaah.  Rage frustration despair sorrow, that message hit all the chords.

Good on candidates who can inspire such selfless behavior in young people.  It bodes well for what kind of adults they will be.  And I hope the politicians remember these stories when they're planning their campaign expenditures.

Teresa, for once you had a good diary going.  Then your "update" ruined it.  Too bad.

Bill should know better than to accept money from an eleven year old.

From the Clinton campaign website :

1. This contribution is made from my own funds, and not those of another.
   
2. This contribution is not made from the general treasury funds of a corporation, labor organization or national bank.
   
3. I am not a Federal government contractor.
   
4. I am not a foreign national who lacks permanent resident status in the United States.
   
5. I am at least 18 years of age.
   
6. This contribution is made on a personal credit or debit card for which I have the legal obligation to pay, and is made neither on a corporate or business entity card nor on the card of another.

This is a great story and deserving of a Rec, despite your own shameful and belittling update, couldn't resist the temptation to throw in a gratuitous attack on Senator Obama and his supporters?.

Jesus christ...how could you take that kid's money?  I'm sorry, I respect him for wanting to do that but I just couldn't in good conscious take money from a kid.

I don't fault former President Clinton for accepting it as I think it would be very hard to refus without absolutely devestating the kid.

You folks should find out who the kid was and buy him a bike.

In a not so shocking side note, the Obamafans and paid bloggers are taking this opportunity to mock a young man with comments about paying off Penn's debt. How sickening.

Why is this sickening?  It's simply a fact that any money Hillary gets right now will go directly into Penn's or the Clinton's bank accounts.

Objectively speaking, the act of this child is, indeed, inspiring and beautiful.  Sadly, the fact that Clinton is only staying in the campaign to replenish her personal bank account by taking money from people like this is what's sickening.  It is, in fact, the beauty of this child's act that makes her acceptance of his money so disgusting.  She should donate it to his school or some charity more worthy than Mark Penn or herself.  Who do you think deserves the money more?

His donation is illegal. He is too young to be giving donations.

Great story! The kid has got heart. He was willing to give up his bike and video games to support his candidate. To all you naysayers, stop whining and give the kid some props for determination!

In a not so shocking side note, the Obamafans and paid bloggers are taking this opportunity to mock a young man with comments about paying off Penn's debt. How sickening.

I wouldn't mock the kid for doing what he thinks is right and for being politically active.  That's great!

I hope his money helps pay off a debt much more worthy than Penn's cut.

This is a very sweet thing to do and very heartwarming, but I couldn't take the money.  I don't usually like to rain on the parade, but this does kind of boil by blood after reading this piece over at the Politico, http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0 508/Clintons_debt.html#comments.

It is wonderful that people are involved.  But when I see something like this, I hope the Clintons see it as a reason to get out of the race, not stay in it.  She is just draining herself and her followers, in order to do what?  Make the arguement that the DNC, and Superdelegates should go against the primary results?  He only needs 17% of the vote in the remaining contests and he will have the majority of pledged delegates won.  I hope that boy's donation really hit home for Bill Clinton, and he understands how the continuation of this race is hurting the people that loves him and his wife.

Is this a political website or Reader's Digest?

It's over and Hillary lost. As you get older, life's disappointments will sting less. I promise.

That is really disgusting. They should never let a kid get this emotionally invested in something that he clearly cannot fully understand.

It is one thing to encourage him to get informed and involved, but it is really sick of them to let this kid sell off his stuff to support any campaign, let alone THIS campaign.

I will refrain from defining why this campaign is so wrong and how much this kids parents are clearly brainwashing him...if you can't see it now you won't see it based on what I have to tell you.

Suffice it so say this kid should not be encouraged to become that invested in anything at that age.

Not mocking.  I don't think legally he can give money to the campaign.  I'm pretty sure you have to be 18.  I love that he did it though.

That's awesome!  It is nice to see kids that have conviction.

by the time he retires.

Sure, it's a sweet gesture.  And yes, the kid made his own decision.  And I'm sure Hillary will make a big deal of such a sweet gesture in her next few speeches.

I agree with upthread suggestions she earmarks it for the general so she can give it back after she loses the nomination, but that's something she can easily do after the fact.  Maybe if ALL of Hillary's supporters matched the kid's donation she wouldn't be 20 mil in the hole right now.

tell me how Teresa's update ruined this diary?
She was only pointing out all of the obama kids that have hijacked this diary with their cynicism, arrogance, attitude and stupidity.

I sure WISH and HOPE that the obama kids will CHANGE someday and UNITE to follow the "words", not necessarily the actions, of the Obama campaign - Hope, Unity, Change, etc, etc, etc.

Progressive Blue

So I guess this kid's parents were probably McCain voters.  I'm sure they had no influence on his decision whatsoever.  

Oh, but he's too young to donate to a campaign.  It had to have been in one of his parent's names.

This is ridiculous.  Child indoctrination?  

That really is tear-jerking. I'm not sure what to think about the fact that a kid is selling his stuff to give the money to Clinton, when the Clintons made $100m in recent years and are pursuing an absolutely quixotic bid for the nomination at this point.

Admirable dedication, but the willingness to accept it would sicken me.

A 10 year told me I should vote for Obama. I'm going to wait for advice from an 8 year old who can break the tie before I make my final decision.

You Obama followers are so nasty and so self-righteous.

Just reading such negative comments proves to me that Obama will lose in November.

Sometimes, a society gets the government it deserves

A message to some of the Barack supporters on this thread:

Your comments are very very nasty. Look, your guy already has it won--this is a positive message and it should be taken as such. Why do you feel that you have to ruin a moment? I've been pretty even handed with everything in the last week but the kind of comments I'm seeing here really piss me off. It certainly doesn't speak to "unity", that's for sure.

think the story is a little disheartening and makes me question the motives of the parents. Here you have a little kid entrenched in his closet looking for items he can sell for Hillary's dying campaign? It would seem to me that instead of having the child sell his own memorabilia, the parents might have encouraged him to do extra chores around the house, or mow a neighbors lawn,etc.

I guess I'm not that fond of parents allowing their children to sell items that they may miss later on in life for totally political reasons...especially for a candidate who has as much chance of winning the nom as I have of seeing God tomorrow morning.

This Obama supporter thinks this is a pretty cool story.  As someone noted above, it should make us proud to be an American.