washingtonpost.com

Anyone who watches a Barack Obama video on YouTube now has the option of donating directly to his campaign.

The campaign activated the Google Checkout option on all of its YouTube videos on Tuesday, meaning viewers can make donations from $15 to $1,000. Checkout allows online shoppers (or in this case, voters) to create a single login for all online purchases (or donations).

The Obama campaign is the only presidential campaign currently allowing the Checkout option on its YouTube videos.

Since hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of people regularly view Obama’s YouTube productions, the Checkout option is a no-brainer: People watch the video, like what they see, and are compelled to immediately donate.

We first noticed the Checkout option on Obama’s new ad airing in Montana, called “Achieve.”

Obama says in part: “It’s about you and your struggles, and helping you achieve the American Dream. We can not afford to wait. The American people are ready for change. … On June 3rd, we will not just win Montana, we will change this country, and we’re going to change the world.”

Obama is currently the only presidential candidate airing ads in Montana.

– Ed O’Keefe