In her first missives about OFA's dinner contest with her husband, First Lady has some advice for winners: "Just relax"...asks for $3 and $10 donations...First Lady Michelle Obama sent her very first e-mails about the Dinner with Barack II contest today, writing that the President wants the dinners to be "fun," and signing her e-mails "Michelle." There were two versions: One had the subject line "Take him up on it," and asked supporters for $10. The other, with the subject line "These dinners," asked for just $3, a low-ball figure the campaign trotted out on Tuesday with an e-mail from President Obama himself. Both e-mails are part of a big push to get donations in before Friday's midnight FEC reporting deadline.
"Not everyone knows how to prepare for a dinner like this," Michelle wrote. "I want to tell you the one thing to do if you're selected to join him...Just relax. Barack wants this dinner to be fun, and he really loves getting to know supporters like you."
"Don't miss the opportunity to be there. Donate $3 today, before the September 30th deadline," Mrs. Obama adds.
"Contributing will not improve chances of winning," notes the OFA website about the dinner.
OFA still has not announced the winners for the first contest offering the President as a dinner date, "Dinner with Barack and Joe," months after entries closed in July. A Campaign spokesman couldn't explain why, but it violates OFA's own Official Rules for the contest."Since we launched our "Dinner with Barack" contest...we've been getting asked a lot: 'Is this for real?"' wrote National Finance Director Rufus Gifford in an e-mail sent waaaaay back in June.
The Campaign is still getting asked that question. Mrs. Obama will attend three fundraisers on Friday, in Portland, Maine and Providence, Rhode Island.
Michelle's $10 e-mail: "Take him up on it"
Friend --
Not everyone knows how to prepare for a dinner like this. As someone who's eaten countless meals with my husband, I want to tell you the one thing to do if you're selected to join him...
Just relax. Barack wants this dinner to be fun, and he really loves getting to know supporters like you.
I hope you'll take him up on it before Friday's deadline.
Will you donate $10 or more today and be entered to have dinner with Barack?
These dinners mean a lot to Barack. They're a chance for him to talk with a few of the people who are driving the campaign -- and a chance for him to say thank you.
So come prepared to tell your story, and say whatever's on your mind.
Don't miss the opportunity to be there. Donate $10 today, before the September 30th deadline:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Dinner
Thanks,
Michelle
Michelle's $3 e-mail: "These dinners"
Friend --
Not everyone knows how to prepare for a dinner like this. As someone who's eaten countless meals with my husband, I want to tell you the one thing to do if you're selected to join him...
Just relax. Barack wants this dinner to be fun, and he really loves getting to know supporters like you.
I hope you'll take him up on it before Friday's deadline.
Will you donate just $3 today and be entered to have dinner with Barack?
These dinners mean a lot to Barack. They're a chance for him to talk with a few of the people who are driving the campaign -- and a chance for him to say thank you.
So come prepared to tell your story, and say whatever's on your mind.
Don't miss the opportunity to be there. Donate $3 or more today, before the September 30th deadline:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Dinner
Thanks,
Michelle
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*Photo by Saul Loeb/Getty, taken at Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 34th Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.