Obama Campaign: Instead Of Wedding Gifts, Give Money To Us

Obama for America has a new fundraising idea:

“Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming up?” the campaign wrote in a blog post. “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.”

“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 campaign wrote.

Seriously? Now you want to politicize weddings and birthdays? Is nothing sacred anymore?

Tell you what guys, in lieu of donating to you, I’ve made a donation in your name to The Human Fund (“Money For People”)

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. Tsar Nicholas says:

    It’s common knowledge that their fundraising has fallen waaaaay short of expectations, much less desires, but is it really that bad that they’ve needed to stoop to this level? Wow. Yikes. One also can’t help but wonder in light of this what their internal polling is telling them.

  2. John Burgess says:

    You know, my cynicism allows me to let lots of political idiocy go by as par for the course.

    This, though, actually does catch my eye. Or is that nose? It reeks of desperation and makes me think Obama believes he’s in real trouble.

    What’s next? Don’t buy birthday presents for your kids? Put off that elective surgery?

  3. One thing it clearly is, I think, is a way to collect email addresses. They’ve also done “Sign a Mother’s Day Card For Michelle” and “Sign A Father’s Day Card For The President” promotions that are clearly designed to accomplish the same goal.

  4. Dustin says:

    Is it somewhat tacky? Sure. But stuff like this has grown in popularity in recent years. I’ve been to weddings where the bride and groom, in lieu of a table gift, have made a donation for everyone to something the bride and groom favor, that certainly some of their guests may not. And I’ve seen the couple ask for donations to causes in lieu of gifts too.

    Much ado about nothing. Again.

  5. @Dustin:

    Yea I can see that. But I’m not sure that if I was going to do this, I would make it such an explicitly political cause. Some family members might not appreciate that

  6. Fausta says:

    In lieu of flowers next!

  7. al-Ameda says:

    Honestly, is it any more strange than believing that Obama was not born in America.

  8. @Dustin:

    But stuff like this has grown in popularity in recent years. I’ve been to weddings where the bride and groom, in lieu of a table gift, have made a donation for everyone to something the bride and groom favor, that certainly some of their guests may not.

    I think there’s a big difference between asking for donations to a charity and asking for a donation to a political campaign.

  9. bandit says:

    This is why people hate politics and politicians.

  10. Mikey says:

    I had thought there was nothing in American politics anymore that could cause me to sit and stare at my computer with my mouth agape in disbelief.

    I was wrong…horribly, horribly wrong.

    I was going to say “next they’ll want you to donate in lieu of sending flowers to Grandma’s funeral” but Fausta beat me to it.

  11. Neo says:

    This must be for the Obama’s retirement home on the Malvinas.

    The Secret Service rounded up all the knives and forks from a luncheon Friday of NALEO before the President appeared.

    “It’s very important that you use your utensils as soon as possible,” National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials board member Raquel Regalado told about 1000 delegates at the group’s annual conference.

    I guess this means that they won’t need any silverware (except for spoons) .. a potato peeler sounds nice.

  12. LBrew says:

    @Stormy Dragon:
    I don’t see it as different. if it’s something a person believes in, whether its the local food bank, Make a Wish, or even a politician that they see making an impact, it’s their personal choice. No one should be judged for that.

  13. Tillman says:

    Sure, toss around condemnation, whatever; I want to know how much money they make from this.

  14. Russ says:

    Nothing else matters beyond maintaining power. The hilarious part is that the Chitcago thug has never done ANYTHING, and by that I mean that the only accomplishments were during Pelosi’s reign in congress. The shill in chief is, and has been, useless. Since her departure, Oblameo has done nothing but cry “its Bush’s (or ATM’s) fault.

  15. Next, no doubt, Obama’s campaign will start asking church goers to donate to the campaign rather than the offering plate.