Fill the campaign coffers not the china cabinet
Washington (CNN) - In a sign of three seasons – campaign, wedding and graduation – President Barack Obama's campaign launched a new fund-raising tool this week allowing supporters to set up a gift registry to solicit donations to the president's reelection campaign.
After signing up for a registry, the bride-to-be or college graduate is asked to set a fund-raising goal, name their registry and a personal message to possible gift givers. The page then allows you to share it with friends via email, Facebook and Twitter.
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"Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming up? Let your friends know how important this election is to you-register with Obama 2012, and ask for a donation in lieu of a gift," reads the campaign website. "It's a great way to support the President on your big day. Plus, it's a gift that we can all appreciate-and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl."
The fund-raising option has become the butt of many jokes.
"If you're a supporter, you tell your loved ones instead of giving you a gift, you'd like them to donate money to the Obama campaign which is a great way for people to lie about getting you a present," said Jimmy Kimmel on his late night talk show. "On the website it says, quote, a campaign donation goes a lot farther than a gravy bowl. Not if you like gravy, it doesn't. Without a gravy bowl, where else do I keep my gravy?"
But comics are not the only people calling out the Obama campaign.
"Is this what the office of the President of the United States has come to? Pandering for wedding and birthday money," questioned Richard Henkle in the comment section of the campaign's announcement. So far, the announcement has received almost 1,400 comments.
"My six-year-old just lost a lower incisor," Todd Aglialoro joked about the program. "He's going to be so excited when the tooth fairy leaves him an Obama-Biden donation receipt in his name!"
Through May, the Obama campaign has out-raised the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney's campaign $261 million to $123 million.
The tide in fund-raising, however, may be turning. In May alone the Romney campaign raised $77 million to the Obama campaign's $60 million. This was the first time Romney's haul had surpassed Obama's in a given month.
But these monthly numbers pale in comparison to the final amounts that both campaigns hope to raise.
Senior advisers to Obama's campaign told reporters last Friday that they foresee Romney raising over $1 billion this year – and possibly $100 million this month.
That follows months of rumors that Obama, who raised $778 million last cycle, might hit $1 billion for his re-election bid – something his campaign advisers have rejected.
- CNN's Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
Also see:
Pawlenty: I'm best as a volunteer
Romney adviser: Obama immigration measure subject to repeal
Romney makes rounds at donor retreat
Jarrett to NABJ: White House bracing for health care decision
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Great idea...take even more money away from the private businesses who count on selling gravy bowls among a lot of other things...that should do wonders for the economy, Obama...
This what happens when the people who hate government are elceted to run the government they claim to hate – while they pledge alleigence to a group that demands they not do their job.
The American People will rise up in November to stop the GOP's endless efforts to destroy our country and our society.
One conservative TV cynic asked this morning, "Is this why Pres. Obama suported gay marriage?"
Being tech savvy is part of the reason why the President was elected in the first place. Now you see all of these politicans using social networking in order to get their message out. So not only is the President the leader of the free world, he's a trendsetter. Let's see what kind of baffoonery Willard's campaign comes out with in response to this.
Most people see the Democrats in Congress, president Obama, the Obama administration as a complete FAILURE; donation will not be forth coming and desperation has set in.
Wow... how tacky.
Wait a minute, Obama has outraised Romney? Why are Democrats always crying that Romney collects more money than Obama and if Romney wins is because he raised more money when Obama is the one with the big bucks? Seriously, I don't understand the Democrat mentally, it is so warped, petty, nuts. Just admit Obama raises more money than any other politician in history, more than Romney and move on.
john
Great idea...take even more money away from the private businesses who count on selling gravy bowls among a lot of other things...that should do wonders for the economy, Obama...
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Wow, beautifully said, how true for the businesses hoping to make an income, pay salaries and bills. This is why Obama said the private sector is doing just fine, he really lives in dreamland, completely out of touch with everyday, reality.
@MyViews "Why are Democrats always crying that Romney collects more money"?
That is not right. The Ministry of Truth now says money buying votes is good. And it has always been that way. (Orwell 1984)
Can't wait to see what Robmey will counter with.
Always do the opposite, flip flop it over and over.
This is what happens when the SCOTUS lets corporations and wealthy people buy elections.
I'm all in, some business is making money to produce these cards and hiring staff.
This actually shows the world how desperate Hussein Obama has got.
QUITE PATHETIC!!!
sounds like the perfect way to announce to all of your friends and family, just what a tasteless and tacky fool you really are. i would skip buying them anything or contributing to further the obama fiasco. instead a local animal shleter would get my donation. i guess the obama billion dollar march to the whitehouse is having some money issues. how embarrassing... what next cookie and can drives?
Claudia, Houston, Tx
I'm all in, some business is making money to produce these cards and hiring staff.
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I'm sure they are Facebook, Twitter employees and they have complete control of this, no small businesses involved in this. The article says you do it via Facebook & Twitter not the store.
"instead a local animal shleter would get my donation"
About what I'd expect from a conservative. After all, you make no secrets about considering the middle class, poor, sick, elderly, youth and minorities to be less than animals.
mitts making a lot of money in china too
"Most people see the Democrats in Congress, president Obama, the Obama administration as a complete FAILURE; "
Interesting. Then what does that say about the GOP in the House and Senate in light of the fact that they consistently get FAR lower approval ratings for their contributions to society over the past 3.5+ years?
mitts making a lot of money in china to,or is it mitts business is in china
"Great idea...take even more money away from the private businesses who count on selling gravy bowls among a lot of other things...that should do wonders for the economy, Obama..."
But hey, if we just cut taxes for the rich, they'll buy hundreds of extra gravy bowls...one for each day of the year? Can never have too many gravy bowls, right? Freekin nonsense. Who uses a freekin gravy bowl nowadays other than hoity toity stepford 1950's throwbacks that lament the demise of the DC dinner scene anyway?
Sniffit
"instead a local animal shleter would get my donation"
About what I'd expect from a conservative. After all, you make no secrets about considering the middle class, poor, sick, elderly, youth and minorities to be less than animals.
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You would think that President Obama would ask us to donate to the middle class, poor, sick, elderly, your and minorities instead of a presidential campaign. Wait, don't forget the hungry children of America.
Sniffit – your whole crazy, hippie idea that cutting taxes to the small businesses in the USA is negative is really getting old. You should try working than you can understand what it takes to come up with your paycheck.
"Sniffit – your whole crazy, hippie idea that cutting taxes to the small businesses in the USA is negative is really getting old. You should try working than you can understand what it takes to come up with your paycheck."
I'm a succesful practicing attorney who went to top tier schools. Education and understanding the issues are not a concern. Your move.
As far as what is getting old is concerned, we've been reducing taxes on businesses, particularly the rich and giant corporations, not to mention subsidizing them despite them reporting record profits, for nigh on half a century now. Taxes are the lowest they've been since the 50's and yet, here we are...the extremely wealthy have consistently and at an ever-accelerating pace increased their share of the nation's wealth and income while the middle-class is on the verge of dying out. So tell us, oh economic guru demanding that we keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result: How's all that randian trickle-down deregulatory voodoo unicorn fart daydream economics working out for ya?
This shows complete lack of tact and total desperation from the obama admin. How about my kid's college money, Mr. President? Should I send that too? Will small unmarked bills do? How's that Fast and Furious cover-up going, Mr. President?