by James Janega
Are you a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama? Did you try to get a ticket to Grant Park?
Well, the campaign may not be saying whether you got that ticket or not, but an email sent to applicants Friday afternoon -- the kind calculated to make an enthusiast's heart skip a beat - offered a chance for *front-row tickets* ... for a donation of $5 or more. Apparently, it went to the few remaining Democratic U.S. citizens who have NOT sent money to the campaign yet.
"We're saving some of the best seats in the house for 5 people who make their first donation to the campaign before Sunday at midnight," the email said.
"If you're selected, you can bring a guest, and we'll fly you in and put you up in a hotel for the night. You'll go backstage at the big event and - no matter what happens - you'll have a front row seat," the email signed "Barack" continued.
One of the little known facts about the campaign's application to hold the event in Grant Park (already on Chicagotribune.com here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-10/43107032.pdf) is that while there is no alcohol FOR SALE at the event, a box WAS checked saying there would be alcohol FOR SAMPLING.
Perhaps backstage. Where you would go if you won this ticket.
Act now.
No further information was immediately available on when all those other people who scrambled for tickets this week will hear if they actually get one.
Comments
No beer, but plenty of kool-aid
Posted by: Terry | October 31, 2008 9:16 PM
I have dontated to the obama campaign before, and today I got an email offering me entry into the inaugural lotto for providing another donation.
"We're saving some of the best seats in the house for 5 people who have given to the campaign before -- and who decide to make a donation one last time before Sunday at midnight."
Perhaps there are five seats for each side....a very smart ploy to entice a lot of donors for a fairly minimal outlay on the campaign's part.
Posted by: ignatius reilly | October 31, 2008 10:00 PM
There are another 5 tickets for people who have donated already and donate again. Here's the url: https://donate.barackobama.com/frontrow
Posted by: Stew | October 31, 2008 10:11 PM
Isn't this illegal? Why can't the media "donate" and get these best seats? Something is fishy about this.
Posted by: Renagle | November 1, 2008 1:28 AM
John Cleese pointed out that John McCain "palled" around with communists in Hanoi for 6 years, eating their food, having his accommodation paid for by them. It is disgusting that a commie sympathizer like McCain would try to become our President. He is the one who sought to normalize relations with Communist Vietnam. This man should be disqualified from running as President. God help us!! Wake up people!!
Posted by: ChandraSF | November 1, 2008 3:33 AM
Does anyone know when the campaign is sending out the printable tickets?
Posted by: jlp | November 1, 2008 9:17 AM
Is there anything Obama WOULDN'T sell? And for $5? Please tell me how a man SOOO... beholden to so many, bought and paid for by so many, can actually bring "CHANGE" to our country when in fact he is the greatest perpetuator of what is wrong with Washington?
Posted by: Sweet Polly Purebred | November 1, 2008 4:34 PM
Our "B.O." smells great! You betcha--I'd LOVE TO WELCOME IN OUR NEW PRESIDENT in Grant Park!! Pitty me and let me celebrate with thousands and millions the best thing to come to the forefront our country's political landscape (and hopefully the White House) in decades! I'm praying, AND VOTING, for CHANGE in Forest Park, Illinois!
Posted by: FPJoanie | November 1, 2008 7:23 PM
Tacky, tacky, tacky!
Posted by: L Smith | November 2, 2008 7:06 AM
I recieved my invite to the celebration today and the message says you can still donate not donate again to get your tickets. Bush have rap us for years and we took it with no grease. Obama campaign is funded by the private sources so what is the problem here he is raising money to fund his campaign.
Posted by: W. Blissitt | November 2, 2008 10:44 PM