First Lady Added To "Dinner with Barack" Contest

"I'm bringing Michelle," President Obama announces...
Update, Dec. 31: The final push as contest ends
Update, Dec. 30: First Lady e-mails about dinner
Update, Dec. 28: President e-mails about dinner
Update, Dec. 21: The seating chart for dinner and Reggie Love promotes the dinner
Update, Dec. 1: First Lady e-mails about dinner
President Obama announced today that he's bringing his wife to the third "Dinner with Barack," a fundraising contest launched this month to raise money for his re-election effort. In a new twist for the dinner sweepstakes, the three winners will each get to bring along a guest.

"I thought I'd bring one, too -- so I invited Michelle," President Obama wrote in an e-mail to supporters. "She's in."

The dinner has been re-named "Dinner with Barack and Michelle," as can be seen from the promo graphic, above. The heady dinner can be had for just a $3 donation, Mr. Obama advised.

"Michelle and I don't get to spend as much time as we'd like with the people who are building the 2012 campaign," he wrote. "So I hope you'll take us up on it."

Vice President Joe Biden was added to the first "Dinner with Barack" contest in an effort to sweeten the pot, and it was re-named "Dinner with Barack and Joe." The President dined with the four winners of that contest last month, but Biden was out of the country, and missed the event. Mr. Obama has not yet dined with the four winners of the second "Dinner with Barack" contest.

The assigned retail value of the prize package has jumped from $1,075 for the first dinner, to $1,600 for the current dinner, which includes airfare and a hotel stay. It is taxable to the winners. Entries close on Dec. 31.

The e-mail had the subject line "I'm bringing Michelle."

The text:

Friend --

If you win a seat at the next dinner with three other supporters and me, you'll get to bring a guest.

I thought I'd bring one, too -- so I invited Michelle.

She's in.

Donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered to sit down for a meal with Michelle and me.

Michelle and I don't get to spend as much time as we'd like with the people who are building the 2012 campaign.

But we are incredibly grateful for all you're doing, whether it's volunteering and having one-on-one conversations in your communities or chipping in what you can to help build the organization.

We're looking forward to the chance to thank you in person, so I hope you'll take us up on it.

Make a donation today to be automatically entered for the chance to join us at the table:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Me-and-Michelle

Thanks,

Barack
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