by John McCormick
With the end of the second quarter fast approaching, the fundraising gimmicks are going full blast.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s campaign delivered Wednesday afternoon with an appetizing offer: contribute just a few dollars and win a chance to have dinner with the junior senator from Illinois.
“If you've ever thought about making a donation to join our campaign, now is the time. In the next week, four supporters will be selected for a new kind of fundraising dinner. We're reserving two of those seats for new donors like you,” the pitch to supporters reads. “If you make a donation in any amount between now and … June 13, you could join Barack and three other supporters for an intimate dinner for five.”
Candidates are racing to build up their fundraising totals in advance of the June 30 deadline for the second quarter. The dinner is expected to take place in Chicago or Washington.
As of Thursday (June 7), Obama's campaign says 8,000 people have contributed money for a chance at the dinner. The "winners" will be selected based on personal stories they submit with their contribution, a way for the campaign to avoid the legal issues involved with running a lottery.
"It's not in any way a sweepstakes," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki. "We are selecting the people."
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Comments
Who puts out more press releases for Barack Obama: The Obama campaign, or reporter John McCormick?
Posted by: JFK Democrat | June 6, 2007 5:10 PM
Bruce, when are you going to quit useing that fake "JFK Domocrat" post name?
(:GOBAMA IN 08:)
Posted by: John E | June 6, 2007 7:35 PM
Bruce/JFK Democrat is a Swamp troll. Kinda sad to spend all your life trolling.
Kudos to the Obama team. I love the dinner idea.
Posted by: Jay | June 6, 2007 7:58 PM
That copuld be worth a buck to hear boy wonder. I could get a free dinner and catch up on my sleep.
Posted by: Terry | June 6, 2007 8:37 PM
Terrific idea! I can't imagine any of the other candidates (or their campaign teams) coming up with something like that.
Posted by: Tom J | June 6, 2007 11:04 PM
That copuld be worth a buck to hear boy wonder. I could get a free dinner and catch up on my sleep.
Posted by: Terry | June 6, 2007 8:37 PM
Learn to spell neo-nut. I think this dinner thing is a fun idea. Nutters, GET OVER YOURSELF!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | June 7, 2007 5:44 AM
THANK YOU I WILL DO MY PART TO HELP
Posted by: Anonymous | June 7, 2007 12:35 PM
Sorry lefties, there is no way in hell I want this evil jerk to be near me. I'll take his evil witch wife though
Posted by: Lucifer | June 7, 2007 1:22 PM
At least Obama's willing to even meet with a regular American, compared to the Republican candidates who will only meet with fat cat big buck campaign contribution givers.
Posted by: BC | June 7, 2007 3:25 PM
LP,
It's learn how to type. I'll let you know when its a spelling error.
It sounds like a fun idea too - I'll put in my buck. I could have a rioy with Boy Wonder and three members of the tin-foil hat club.
Posted by: Terry | June 7, 2007 8:26 PM
Contrary to public opinion, Obama meets with plenty of fat cat big buck campaign contribution givers. Don't kid yourselves.
Just today there was a story in Bloomberg that shows the contradiction in action from rhetoric.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&refer=home&sid=a2.lBgOZY4H8
For anyone that cares to investigate, there are other stories, too. Be fooled if you want.
One more thing, this dinner gimmick is not a random selection of donors either.
Posted by: EricD | June 7, 2007 11:28 PM
Unfortunately, the "donate $5 and win a dinner" promotion constitutes a raffle. It must be licensed and may not be legally conducted online, according to the Il. Dept. of Revenue.
Posted by: Kathy Gilroy | June 8, 2007 10:59 AM
Lucifer. Are you kidding me? You have to be very sick to post something like this! Do all of us favor and crawl back into the fires of hell where you belong. Hey, here's an idea! Why don't you and all your racist friends just leave my United States and go someplace else.
Posted by: Nana Ashe | June 8, 2007 1:58 PM