illusionofjoy | Shall I chance a dinner with Obama? (Reply)

Back when the primary season was in it's infancy, before things become so close, contentious and...insane, both the Obama and Clinton campaigns were sending out emails offering a chance at having dinner with the candidate in exchange for a donation. It was Obama whose campaign originally had the idea, and I took a pass when the first email came around. The Clinton camp co-opted it and issued an email with the offer at the same time Obama's camp was sending their second emails. In light of this, I donated $5.00 to each campaign because 1.) I felt foolish for even passing up one chance to have dinner with a potential presidential candidate and 2.) I wanted to keep the primary "interesting." Little did I know how "interesting" things would end up becoming...

Obama, riding the wave of his 1% lead in the popular vote (fun fact: delegate counts do not reflect proportional state populations - another reform which needs to be made), has once more offered people a chance to have dinner with him. Excerpt from an Obama campaign email:

Our funding comes from a movement of more than one million people giving whatever they can afford.

And in the next week, four supporters will be selected for a new kind of fundraising dinner.

Make a donation in any amount between now and 11:59 pm EDT on Monday, March 31st, and you could join Barack and three other supporters for an intimate dinner for five.

We're reserving two of those seats for previous donors like you. Make your donation now.

I admit, I am very tempted, though I do have some reservations. I'm not voting for Obama in the primary - duh, we all know that by now. So, on the minute chance that I actually do get to sit at the dinner table with Obama, his more zealous supporters would surely be crying "foul" for the fact that I am not one of them. On the flip side, Hillary Clinton's more zealous supporters may cry "traitor" if I have the audacity to give any money to her opponent during the "critical Pennsylvania primary."

In effect, it's a chance to get everyone pissed off at me, which has merit in of itself. Frankly, I'm pretty used to everyone either hating or being angry with me for one reason or another (and in certain situations, I've even revelled in it).

So, the Obama donation form is waiting...and all I have to do is fill it out before the end of the month. I have to admit though, I feel compelled to "come clean" in the "tell your story section" of the form. That is to say, I'd have to write something like, "I have to confess, I am voting for Hillary Clinton in the primary, however, I greatly admire your dedication and what you stand for, Mr. Obama and would have no reservations voting for you in the general election, should that be the will of the Democratic electorate...etc." I hope such a "confession" would not lessen or completely negate my chances (however small they already are) at the dinner - I doubt it, but one never knows. Also, I hope that the Clinton camp decides to "steal" this idea again. Frankly, I'd like to get them both in a room together for dinner (or maybe just drinks - I think these two need an evening in a South Side bar to loosen up).

So, that's my latest quandary or what have you. And yes, I'd like to see some comments on this entry, if you'd all be so gracious as to let me pick your brains.