First Lady E-Mails About "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" Contest

No pomp and circumstance, no b*llsh*t at the intimate dinner with the First Eaters...
The end is near: Obama for America's "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" fund raising contest ends tomorrow at midnight. President Obama e-mailed donors on Wednesday, and First Lady Obama e-mailed donors today, asking for $3 while promising "warm conversation" at the "intimate" dinner for eight, with "no pomp and circumstance." The First Couple "cherishes" the same things as every American family, Mrs. Obama said.

Including dinners that raise funds for a massive re-election war chest, which Campaign Manager Jim Messina is insisting will not be $1 billion. That figure is "bullshit," Messina said in an OFA video released on Thursday, showing electoral college pathways to an Obama win in 2012. The word was partially bleeped, but it's in the video. Messina's colorful political analysis comes at 2:52 in the video.



The subject heading for the First Lady's e-mail was "Hope to Meet You Soon"

The text:

XXXX--

At the end of a long day, Barack and I cherish the same things most American families cherish: togetherness, warm conversation, and the simple pleasure of one another's company.

That's what this upcoming dinner is going to be all about. It's just going to be a couple of us -- me, Barack, supporters like you and your guests -- sitting around a table, sharing stories.

No handshaking lines, no pomp and circumstance.

We'd love for you to be a part of it. Donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered today:

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

We hope to meet you soon,

Michelle
##

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA recently released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos.

Entries don't require a donation, and the assigned retail value of "Dinner with Barack and Michelle," $1,600, includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay, and is taxable to the winners.

The First Lady today also sent a second e-mail to supporters, with the subject heading "I want to be able to say."

The text:

Friend --

This holiday has felt a bit like one last long, deep breath before we plunge into 2012.

This time next year, I don't want us to have any regrets. I want to be able to say we rose to the task, and got it done. We've all got some work to do right now.

Over the next 11 months we've got an organization to grow, voters to register, and people to get fired up.

I hope you'll close out this year by donating $3 or more now to help make sure we're ready for the next one:

https://donate.barackobama.com/No-Regrets

Thank you so much, and happy new year,

Michelle

P.S. -- Also, when you donate today, you are automatically entered for a chance to be one of three supporters to have dinner with Barack and me.
##

President Obama's New E-Mail About "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" Fundraiser

"Michelle and I are hosting"...
In a new email sent today to encourage supporters to drop just $3 to enter the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" campaign fund raising contest, President Obama chafes at the constraints of being Commander in Chief, unable to leave the White House and dine out whenever he'd like.

"It's not all that often that Michelle and I get to host a casual meal with friends," laments Mr. Obama, who happens to be the modern record holder for Presidential dining excursions outside the White House.

The Obama dinners with pals tend to happen during vacations: This summer, there were three "casual dinners" with friends during the vacation on Martha's Vineyard. Last Friday, the President and Mrs. Obama dined with friends at Morimoto in Honolulu. And no one except those inside the White House know how many "casual dinners" the President and First Lady host in the private residence. But at least the First Lady can't complain about missing casual dinners: Mrs. Obama--and East Wing aides--have admitted that she sneaks out of the White House, incognito, for private dinners with friends.

Still, the upcoming campaign dinner is special, since Mrs. Obama is included, too.

"It's the first one we've ever done like this together, and we'd love to have you and whoever you choose to join us," President Obama wrote.

Three winners will be selected, and each is allowed to bring a guest, a change from the two other Dinner with Barack contests, when four winners were selected for each dinner. The contest closes on Dec. 31, and is part of the crucial year-end fundraising push for the campaign. Deputy Campaign Manager Julianna Smoot sent the same e-mail twice in the past week, including the seating chart for the dinner. Former Obama aide Reggie Love is the latest from the President's inner circle to promote the dinner.

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA recently released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos.

Entries don't require a donation, and the assigned retail value of the dinner, $1,600, which includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay, is taxable to the winners.

The subject heading for today's e-mail was "Michelle and I are hosting."

The text:

XXXX --

It's not all that often that Michelle and I get to host a casual meal with friends.

That's one of the reasons we're both excited about the upcoming dinner with three supporters and your guests.

It's the first one we've ever done like this together, and we'd love to have you and whoever you choose to join us.

Chip in $3 or whatever you can today -- and you'll automatically be entered to be one of our dinner guests.

I enjoy these dinners not just because they're a way to connect with supporters across the country.

They also say a lot about what kind of campaign we're running.

We don't take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs -- never have and never will. Instead, we believe in the kind of politics that gives everyone a seat at the table -- so we're literally offering these seats at dinner to folks who are willing to step forward and be a part of it.

There are just a few days left to add your name for a chance to be one of our guests at the next dinner, and help build this campaign before 2012 finally arrives.

Make a donation of $3 or whatever you can today -- and automatically enter to be there:

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

Thanks,

Barack

Supporters also got a second e-mail from the President, with the dinner mentioned in a PS:

XXXX --

Here's a question as we head into the new year: Will 2012 be the last year we get?

The answer depends on more than just me -- it depends on you.

How big this campaign grows in 2012 -- and how strong our position is to create lasting change in a second term -- will be determined by the resources we have to work with on January 1st.

We've done some big things together. But there's so much more we need to do.

So if you're in, I'm asking to you step up right now and show it.

Donate $3 or more for 2012 today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/End-of-Year

Thanks,

Barack

P.S. -- Michelle and I are looking forward to the upcoming dinner with three supporters like you and your guests. Any donation you make today automatically enters you to win two seats at the table.

Seating Chart: "Dinner with Barack and Michelle"

Former Social Secretary Julianna Smoot: "my job is done"...
UPDATE, Dec. 26: Smoot sent the exact e-mail again, including the seating chart
President Obama's second White House Social Secretary, Julianna Smoot, left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue House in March of this year to become his Deputy Campaign Manager. She sent heady news via e-mail to re-election supporters today, as she unveiled the seating chart, above, for OFA's fundraiser "Dinner with Barack and Michelle."

Three lucky winners and their guests will dine with the President and First Lady Obama at an unspecified date and place, and Smoot dubbed the seating arrangement her easiest assignment ever.

"I've put a lot of dinners together for the President and Mrs. Obama," Smoot wrote. "Sometimes they've been for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Sometimes they've included governors, artists, and musicians. The seating can get pretty complicated, but I have to say, this one was easy."

"So really, my job's done," she added.

Smoot asks for a minimum $3 donation. Her e-mail followed one earlier in the day from Reggie Love, President Obama's longtime personal aide. Love urged donors to "Get on that here," which translated into English, means make a donation to enter the contest.

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA this week released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos. The current contest closes on December 31.

Smoot's subject heading for her e-mail was "Where do you want to sit?"

The text:

XXXX --

I just saw the seating chart for Dinner with Barack and Michelle, and I thought you should see it, too.

The President and First Lady are right here. Where do you want to sit?

Take a look, then donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered for a chance to win.

I've put a lot of dinners together for the President and Mrs. Obama.

Sometimes they've been for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Sometimes they've included governors, artists, and musicians. The seating can get pretty complicated, but I have to say, this one was easy.

One table, six guests, and the President and First Lady.

So really, my job's done. The only thing that's missing is who the guests will be.

Click here to give $3 or whatever you can and be automatically entered for a chance for you and a guest to have dinner with the President and First Lady:

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

I'd love for you to be there.

Thanks,

Julianna

Julianna Smoot
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America
##

Obama Aide Reggie Love Touts "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" Campaign Fundraiser

Love is in love with the dinner contest: "Get on that here"...
President Obama's closest personal aide, "body man" Reggie Love, left the White House in November after trotting the globe with his boss. He's suddenly returned as a campaigner: Today Love sent his very first fund raising e-mail for the 2012 campaign, touting the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" contest.

Love, 30, spent four years with Mr. Obama, and his wide array of very intimate duties included Presidential food wrangling on the road, as well as dining with his boss--which is the point of his e-mail.

"I've also eaten many, many meals with him," Love wrote.

Thus Love is enamoured of the dinner contest, he said.

"I kind of love this "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" contest," Love wrote. "You all have to do this. Get on that here."

The subject line for the e-mail is also "You All Have To Do This." The faux homeboy vernacular is pretty goofy, given that Love is exiting Mr. Obama's orbit to finish a graduate degree at an Ivy League university. And typically "You All" is spelled "Y'all," isn't it? The goofiness can be credited to whichever OFA staffer wrote the e-mail, of course.

And the goofiness factor gets even higher as the e-mail touts the exclusivity of dining with Barack and Michelle.

"I know that dinner with Barack and Michelle is something that usually only happens with the girls, and no one else," Love/the OFA staffer wrote.

"You should know this practically never happens."

Just to point out the silliness of that statement, the guest lists for 2011's three State Dinners collectively had about 700 people, all of whom dined with Barack and Michelle. A couple hundred more people dined with Barack and Michelle at the President's 50th birthday party. And then there was the APEC Leaders Dinner, the Return State Dinner, the Bipartisan Dinner for Congressional leadership, the US Combatant Commanders dinner, and the Governors Dinner, which add a couple thousand more names to the list of people who have dined with Barack and Michelle, just this year.

Of course, those aren't the kind of intimate dinners OFA is promoting in its effort to woo "Everyday Americans" to drop cash into campaign coffers. Inviting guests to dine with the President at the White House would probably raise far more money, but that's off limits under federal election rules.

"Dinner with Barack and Michelle" is the President's third time raffling himself off as a dinner date. He dined with the four winners of the first dinner contest in October at The Liberty Tavern, but has yet to dine with the four winners of the second contest. OFA this week released a new video of the Eater in Chief talking about the first dinner, which followed five previously released videos. The current contest closes on December 31.

Three winners will each be allowed to bring one guest to the dinner, and they will all have to sign documents agreeing to be used in campaign materials.The assigned retail value of the prize package has jumped from $1,075 for the first dinner to $1,600 for the current dinner. It is taxable to the winners, and includes airfare and a one-night hotel stay.

The text of Love's e-mail:

XXXX --

You may know me as the tall guy who followed Barack everywhere he went.

As the President's body man for the last four years, it's been my privilege to help him with whatever he needs: making sure he's on time, finding some food when we're on the road, or playing a quick game of basketball (he won, mostly).

Of course, this also means I've also eaten many, many meals with him.

So first of all, I just want to say thanks for supporting the Obamas and being part of this campaign. It means a lot, not only to the President, but to all of us who've worked by his side.

Two: I kind of love this "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" contest. You all have to do this.

Get on that here.

You should know this practically never happens.

While Barack wants to do these dinners throughout his campaign, I know that dinner with Barack and Michelle is something that usually only happens with the girls, and no one else.

The fact that this dinner is with the two of them should tell you how much it matters to them to know that you have their backs out there.

I wouldn't let this one get away.

Donate $3 or whatever you can today to automatically be entered to win a spot at dinner for you and a guest:

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

Thanks,

Reggie
##

*Photo by Pete Souza/White House, taken in the Oval Office on June 16, 2009.

College Hoops & A Hot Dog

Cheering for First Brother-in-Law Craig Robinson's team, the President watches Oregon State Beavers beat Towson University Tigers...
It was a good post-Thanksgiving Saturday for the Hoops Lover in Chief: President Obama began the day with the news that the 149-day NBA lockout will end, played basketball with personal aide Reggie Love, then traveled to Maryland to watch as the Oregon State Beavers defeated the Towson University Tigers, 66-46. Oregon State, of course, is coached by First Lady Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson, and the entire First Family was on hand to witness the victory. President Obama enjoyed a hot dog and bottled water during the second half of the game, sitting beside his wife, who was clad in an orange sweater and black pants, in honor of Oregon State's team colors (above).

Obama daughters Malia and Sasha were also clad in team colors as the First Family entered the Towson basketball arena at 1:40 PM, to a standing ovation from the crowd. The Obamas shook hands with folks in the stands and took their courtside seats, opposite the Oregon State bench.
Before the tip-off, legendary actor-comedian Bill Murray, on hand for the game, stopped by to greet the First Couple (above).

As the Oregon State team was introduced, the President and Mrs. Obama smiled broadly and clapped a bit louder when Coach Robinson’s name was called out. The Oregon State hoopsters on Wednesday joined the First Family as they packed groceries at the Capital Area Food Bank, for a Thanksgiving community service event.

Earlier in the day, after playing basketball with personal aide Reggie Love at Fort McNair, President Obama was asked about the end of the NBA lockout.

The President gave a thumbs up and said, “Good deal.’’

At halftime, the Towson football team was introduced. The Tigers won the Colonial Athletic Association championship this season and are now competing in the FCS playoffs. The players posed for a photo with the President. Swarming around him, the team was warned they’d have to run laps if they didn’t give him some room.

By 4:02 PM, victory accomplished, the President and First Lady were airborne in Marine One, heading back to the White House from the Baltimore area. Daughters Malia and Sasha traveled separately, according to pool. Before heading to Maryland, the President and his daughters visited Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe in Washington, DC, for Small Business Saturday.

*Photos by AP/pool