The Presidential meal was "one of the most significant experiences of my life," says contest winner...All winners of the "Dinner with Barack" fundraising contests had to sign documents agreeing to be used in Campaign publicity materials. Wendi Smith, one of the four winners who shared a meal in October with President Obama as he fulfilled his first dinner contest obligation, sent an e-mail to supporters this evening. It's the first from any winner, and urges entry in the "Dinner with Barack and Michelle" sweepstakes, the third fundraising dinner. (Above: Smith presents the President with a gift of her artwork)
Smith is described by the Campaign as "an artist and retired professor from Corydon, Ind." Her e-mail had the subject heading "My Dinner with Barack," and she hails her Presidential meal as "one of the most significant experiences of my life."
"To be able to talk to him in person, to connect with him across the dinner table, was very special," Smith wrote.
She's a longtime Obama supporter: "In 2008, I phone banked and canvassed for him near my hometown," Smith wrote. Still, her e-mail is about as interesting as "My Dinner with Andre," that ponderous Louis Malle movie that cinema enthusiasts like to hail as a masterpiece. The Campaign has created its own series of dinner movies: Five videos are here. In a postscript, Smith attached the photo at top of herself with the President. The Commander in Chief liked her artwork, she said. Smith asks for a donation of at least $3.
Three people will win the current dinner contest, and each can bring a guest: The President's "guest" is his wife. The dinner prize is fully taxable under IRS rules, and has an assigned retail value of $1,600. Entries close on Dec. 31. The President will dine on an unspecified date with four donors from the Campaign's second contest, the "Dinner with Barack II" sweepstakes, held during fundraising quarter 3, July-September.
The full e-mail text:
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My name is Wendi, and about a month ago, I had dinner with President Obama.
It was one of the most significant experiences of my life.
Click here to take that chance for yourself.
It all happened because I responded to a "Dinner with Barack" email in my inbox. I was planning on making a donation anyway, so I thought I might as well do it now.
When I got the call, I couldn't believe it -- and when I flew out to D.C. for the dinner, I really couldn't believe it. I'm just one of more than a million grassroots supporters of this campaign. But a few hours later there I was.
I never imagined that I would sit down for a conversation, let alone a meal, with the President of the United States.
If you've thought about entering but haven't taken the chance yet, I urge you to do so now. You never know what might happen.
And I hear the First Lady is going to be there for this one, too ... very cool.
Donate $3 or whatever you can today to be automatically entered to win dinner with Barack and Michelle.
I've supported Barack Obama for a long time, and in 2008, I phone banked and canvassed for him near my hometown of Corydon, Indiana.
To be able to talk to him in person, to connect with him across the dinner table, was very special.
I told him about my son and his college loans, my work as an artist, and asked him about public education -- I could tell that he was genuinely listening to each of us, even though I'm sure he had a lot going on that day, and his own family back at the White House.
When I got back home, I told my husband and friends that the President was exactly the man we all thought he was: modest, genuine, engaged, and very caring.
It's a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. I'm so glad I decided to enter.
Join me by giving $3 or more, and start thinking about who you'd invite to dinner:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Dinner
Good luck,
Wendi
Wendi Smith
Corydon, Indiana
P.S. -- Here's a picture of me after signing a postcard with my artwork on it for President Obama. He asked if he could have one at dinner, but I thought he may forget about it when it was time to go. He didn't. The President made sure someone found a pen so I could sign it for him before he left. I wrote, "To Mr. President, with love and respect, Wendi Smith."
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*Photo from OFA