What does Nunda, N.Y. have in common with Austin, Texas?

Both are residences of mysterious donors to the campaign of presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

Nunda, just south of Rochester, N.Y., is the listed residence of a person who lists his name as “Doodad Pro.” Austin, state capital of Texas, also has the distinction of being the listed residence of another Obama donor going by the name of “Good Will.”

Some Americans will think this funny; or, simply shake their heads and declare, “That’s politics.”

It just may be more politics as usual, but it also may be the tip of an iceberg. Like ships, icebergs also sink campaigns. Here’s some background for context and facts to frame the situation.

After first agreeing with John McCain to accept federal campaign funds and the limits that includes, Obama reneged on his word. Instead, Obama decided he would proceed into the general campaign without any limit on how much his campaign could raise overall. However, by law, Obama would still be required to limit individual contributions to a maximum of $2,300 total, whether an individual donor did so in one or several instances.

As a result, Obama has enjoyed the advantages that go with record fundraising. To date, Obama has raked in over $450 million. Of that, his campaign claims that “about half came from individuals who contribute $200 or less.” Keep in mind, too, that donations of $200 or less do not need to be publicly reported by a campaign.

Barack Obama should be congratulated for his fundraising. And, if almost half has been donated by individual American citizens, in personal cumulative totals of $200 or less, he should be congratulated again.

That said, the unusually high number of such donations raise questions and beg for prompt and effective review and follow through by the Federal Election Commission, not after the election because, again, those donations do not need to be publicly reported.

Now let’s probe deeper into the mysterious donors “Doodad Pro” and “Good Will.”

So far, we know that “Doodad Pro” gave Obama more than $17,000, and “Good Will” showed his support by donating more than $11,000 to the campaign. Newsweek reported that “Doodad Pro” did not identify his employer or occupation, although “Good Will did so, listing his employer as” (get ready for this) “Loving and his occupation as You.” (Elvis must be smiling down on that one.)

The Obama campaign has been here before. Still, they refuse to provide more disclosure and openness about who is providing the vast sums of money to fund Obama’s electioneering.

For many Americans, that refusal to be transparent only serves to create still more mystery about Barack Obama himself. It also provides us an example of what he won’t change. If not addressed promptly and completely, the mystery question will become: Why?

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.net or 877-RichSpeaks.