The President looks after American citizens the way he looks after her, Mrs. Obama says...While much of America is suffering from an incredible heat wave, First Lady Michelle Obama on Thursday fondly recalled President Obama's expertise with a snow shovel when the couple were newylweds in their first Chicago apartment. Mrs. Obama told the story in an e-mail--subject heading "Being married to Barack"--inviting donors to drop some cash to enter the 'Dinner with Barack and Michelle' fundraising contest from Obama for America. The First Lady will join the three winners and their guests for what she said will be "a casual dinner," too. (Above: the President and Mrs. Obama at a previous contest dinner)
"For the first 10 years of our marriage, Barack and I lived in an apartment in my hometown of Chicago," Mrs. Obama wrote. "No matter how snowy or icy it got, Barack would head out into the cold—shovel in hand—to dig my car out before I went to work."
"In all our years of marriage, he's always looked out for me. Now, I see that same commitment every day to you and to this country."
It's sweet that the President is attending to the concerns of America's citizens like a good husband. But a tale about snow shoveling is a curious way to woo donors in the midst of a June heatwave; the heat index in Washington, DC itself today was above 100 degrees. It was also pretty broiling in Chicago, home to Obama 2012 headquarters, where the staffers who pen Mrs. Obama's e-mails are ostensibly hunched over their keyboards. A more timely e-mail would have described "Barack's" expertise with cold beverages, wouldn't it? But maybe somewhere in the battleground states it's blizzarding and the poignant story is actually relatable.
Today's heat index map from Air Sports Net Weather:
Still, Mrs. Obama makes her point."The only way we'll win this election is if we can rely on one another like that, all the way to November 6th. Barack is working hard, but he can't do this alone—he needs your help."
She reminds potential donors that "Your flight, your meal, your accommodations—that's all taken care of" with the contest entry.
"Just bring yourself and a guest, and get ready to enjoy a good meal together," Mrs. Obama wrote.
President Obama announced via video on Wednesday that Mrs. Obama will be his date for the meal he'll share with the winners. The winners of 'Dinner with Barack V' --now known as 'Dinner with Barack and Michelle'--will be flown to meet the President and Mrs. Obama somewhere on the campaign trail. The deadline for entry is June 30th, and the approximate retail value of the prize package, taxable to the winners, is $1,600.
*Click here for the Official Rules for Dinner with Barack V. (Above: The graphic for the contest)Mrs. Obama has previously attended one contest dinner, the third, which was held at DC's Boundary Road restaurant last March. The Commander in Beef enjoyed a cheeseburger and fries with the winners of the 'Dinner with Barack IV' contest last week on June 15th, when OFA took over DC's Lincoln Restaurant. The President ate dinner with the four winners of the first 'Dinner with Barack' contest in October of 2011, at The Liberty Tavern in Arlington, VA. The second dinner contest was fulfilled with a luncheon; the President took his four winners to DC's Scion restaurant on January 6, 2012.
The full text of the First Lady's e-mail:
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For the first 10 years of our marriage, Barack and I lived in an apartment in my hometown of Chicago.
The winters there can be pretty harsh, but no matter how snowy or icy it got, Barack would head out into the cold—shovel in hand—to dig my car out before I went to work.
In all our years of marriage, he's always looked out for me. Now, I see that same commitment every day to you and to this country.
The only way we'll win this election is if we can rely on one another like that, all the way to November 6th. Barack is working hard, but he can't do this alone—he needs your help.
Make a donation today to build this campaign—when you do, you'll be automatically entered to join Barack and me for a casual dinner.
Your flight, your meal, your accommodations—that's all taken care of. Just bring yourself and a guest, and get ready to enjoy a good meal together.
Thanks,
Michelle
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