April 27, 2012

Could you give me the street address so I can Google map the directions?

That's my response to this really cool invitation I just got in the email — I am so psyched! — from Michelle Obama:
Ann --

Barack and I know how hard so many of you are working on this campaign -- and we're grateful for it.

But sometimes you just need to have a little fun, too.

That's why I hope you'll take us up on the chance to join Barack at George Clooney's house on May 10th for what will be a pretty amazing event.

Chip in with a grassroots donation today, and you'll be automatically entered to join them:

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

Thanks for all you do,

Michelle
Oh, hell. Chance to join Barack... Key word: chance. Send money and you're entered in a raffle for an invitation. It's all a big crap shoot. Remember when the key word for Obama was: hope. And: change. They changed one letter in "change" and now it's: chance.  

Come on, baby, won't you take a chance...

There's another key word in that email. It's: you. In this sentence: "But sometimes you just need to have a little fun, too." Sometimes you just need to have a little fun, too. You, lowly peon, in addition to... me and my glamorous husband and my gorgeous Hollywood friend. You may need, but you're only going to get it, if you win the crap shoot, which you've got to be in to win, so give us money, because that's what we need. We have plenty of fun, and we want to have more, but we need what you have: money. Or to put that in email-friendly form: a grassroots donation.

What's grassroots about making a donation in response to the First Lady of the United States luring you to a movie star's party?

77 comments:

I'm Full of Soup said...

An illegal lottery?

TWM said...

Sigh I never get anything from Barry and Michelle. Except for massive debt, high gas prices, no jobs, and the like.

Ipso Fatso said...

Go ahead Ann, send him money and hope.... you are going to vote for him anyway.

pm317 said...

Well, fools do fall for it which is why they do it.

Anonymous said...

Don't think of it as a chance to schmooze with George Clooney, think of a chance to find out what they're saying behind our backs. Without Hollywood fundraisers, we would never have found out how bitterly we're clinging to guns and religion.

pm317 said...

you'll be automatically entered to join them:

Notice the absence of a certain word.

Scott M said...

Always read the fine print. The winner has to sign the usual sweepstakes/lottery release forms, but there is a clause buried in there that says you have to give Clooney a pedi with your teeth. After you take care of that little duty to the state, you'll be free to enjoy the party as long as you wear the designated uniform and keep the guests champagne glasses filled.

"Come and see the pedicures inherent in the system! HELP, HELP, I'VE WON AN OBAMA CONTEST!"

Known Unknown said...

you'll be automatically entered to join them:

Translation: We'll keep fucking you in the ass.

Anonymous said...

the proles had a lottery.

the regime's campaign has already tried to equate romney and bush.

that's desperate. and bush is looking more and more presidential relative to obama.

Scott M said...

I simply cannot think of Clooney anymore without South Park's "Smug" episode. One of their best in a collection that includes copious genius.

KCFleming said...

"you'll be automatically entered

That's taxes, baby.

Sue L said...

Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

I'm gonna win. I know it!

Wince said...

Double-talk from the president's campaign?

No purchase, payment, or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning
...You may enter by contributing to Sponsor here or click here to enter without contributing.


At the "enter without contributing" link:

Enter to win a spot at the reception with George Clooney and Barack Obama.

Fill out the form to throw your name in the hat.

Then, will you consider making a donation to support the campaign and be automatically entered again?


Doesn't that sound like donating WILL improve your chances of winning?

Zachary Sire said...

Predictable Althouse is predictable.

Christopher in MA said...

Barack and I know how hard so many of you are working on this campaign. . .

Yes, Michelle. Working like a dog, one might say.

KCFleming said...

"Thanks for all you do,"

That phrase!

God, that horrid bullshit disingenuous phrase, that vacuous throwaway bilge of counterfeit gratitude.

How I hate that unctuous and meaningless closer to a meeting or letter; it enters my chest like a knife, deflating any hope that what preceded it was possibly useful.

pm317 said...

The other side of the story:

Obama's enemies list. Despicable. If we don't play this game, will we end up on that list?

Meade said...

Pogo said...
"you'll be automatically entered

That's taxes, baby."

Better put some ice on that...

Tank said...

I would like an invite. Then I could bring my wife. And if I could manage to get Clooney to shake hands with my wife, or give her even a peck on the cheek, well, she would be sooooo excited, and then Clooney would move on, but I would still be there with my very excited wife and then .....

Prolly the heartbrake of ED.

Oh well .....

Known Unknown said...

"I would like an invite. Then I could bring my wife. And if I could manage to get Clooney to shake hands with my wife, or give her even a peck on the cheek, well, she would be sooooo excited, and then Clooney would move on, but I would still be there with my very excited wife and then .....

Prolly the heartbrake of ED.

Oh well ....."

TMI, dude.

MadisonMan said...

Thanks for all you do

It's right up there with Thanks for your patience after you've been in a line for a while at the bank.

I've finally started replying I wasn't being patient when the teller says it to me.

I'd much rather hear a heartfelt I'm sorry for the delay.

pm317 said...

See this is what I just got from CGI. Notice the absence of patronization. But if Michelle Obamas of the world don't puff you up, the lowly commoner, the peon, how will you give them the money? The class boundary is very well defined in Michelle Obama's email.
-----------
Please join
MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT, ERSKINE BOWLES,
WILLIAM M. DALEY, RAHM EMANUEL, TERRY McAULIFFE,
MACK McLARTY & JOHN PODESTA
for

An Evening with
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
In support of the ongoing work of the William J. Clinton Foundation

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Embassy of Italy • 3000 Whitehaven Street, NW
Washington, D.C.

Business attire

Purchase Tickets

ATTEND THE EVENING

$1,000 per person: Cocktail Reception

$25,000 per couple: Cocktail Reception followed by a Private Dinner
at the Clinton Residence

--------------

Shanna said...

It's weird how many raffles they do. I don't remember other candidates doing that...

Wince said...

That's why I hope you'll take us up on the chance to join Barack at George Clooney's house on May 10th for what will be a pretty amazing event.

A Clooney stalker's dream, or is it?

Enter for a chance to join Clooney & Obama in LA

Any donation you make today automatically enters you for a chance to be George Clooney's guest at a reception for President Obama.


But where in LA? "Clooney's house"?

From the rules:

Sponsor will also determine, in its sole discretion, the date, location, attendees, and all other relevant details of the Dinner.

More:

5. Odds; Taxes; Etc. Odds of winning a prize depend on the number and quality of eligible entries received.

"Quality"?

Shanna said...

Then, will you consider making a donation to support the campaign and be automatically entered again?

Doesn't that sound like donating WILL improve your chances of winning?


I think the healthcare debate (among other things) proved that they are pretty bad at math.

Rose said...

Can I put down my "eat The Rich" and "FUCK the 1%" signs long enough to fill this out? Because George Clooney, wow, so dreamy, and Barack the Preezy, well, i'm conflicted, I don't really agree with , well, you know - HYPOCRISY and all, but...

KCFleming said...

The raffles are to get you ready for national health care.

RLB_IV said...

First they take the shirt off your back, and then they take your shoes. When you reach the inner sanctum a sign on the door says, No Shirt, No shoes, NO service.

Wince said...

By contrast, notice who the Romney campaign is offering the chance to win dinner with.

rhhardin said...

A roll of the dice never will annul change.

John henry said...

I understand from the No Agenda guys, that in the fine print you can enter without sending $3.

This is required under federal law to prevent it being an illegal lottery.

We should encourage everyone to enter using throwaway hotmail addresses.

There is no way I am giving them my real address.

John Henry

John henry said...

There is another raffle that nobody is talking about.

For $6, you get a chance at dinner with just Clooney.

John Henry

traditionalguy said...

The Obamas are challenging everyone to buy a losing ticket to show their courage.

But that train has left the station.

leslyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

EDH said;
By contrast, notice who the Romney campaign is offering the chance to win dinner with.

4/27/12 9:38 AM


Ann is cute and seems so nice, but if it's between Ann and George.....

Seems that everyone is raffeling off dinners nowadays. If the fine print says that George wipes the drool off my chin, I'm in. Don't hate me I'm a sucker for a handsome face.

prairie wind said...

You may already be a wiener!

Will enough donations come in to pay for the cost of jetting the O's across the country to Clooney's house and back?

Luke Lea said...

That's pretty devastating.

gerry said...

What's next? A roaming luxury bus lunchroom so we can buy a lunch on the Meals-On-Wheels Obamarama?

Ann Althouse said...

"Predictable Althouse is predictable."

Does that include the idea — see Ipso Fatso, supra — that I'm surely going to vote for Obama.

I love that I'm so obviously totally for him and against him.

Somebody please explain.

gerry said...

Professor: how about raffling off a meal with you and Mead in the faculty diningroom?

Anonymous said...

Ann Romney, not Ann Althouse, even though Ann Althouse is cute too.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... If the fine print says that George wipes the drool off my chin, I'm in. Don't hate me I'm a sucker for a handsome face..."

You know I still can't figure out how these useless politicians keep getting elected.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"... I love that I'm so obviously totally for him and against him.

Somebody please explain..."

Schizophrenia. ;-)

edutcher said...

I do believe Zero and Moochelle are really starting to annoy Ann with their constant letters home for money.

Like the 2 other kids she never had who went to Haavahd.

AJ Lynch said...

An illegal lottery?

I thought a lottery was a tax on people who were bad at math.

And I love the slogan for the Internet campaign, "Are You In?".

So fitting for a scam.

Just like Redford was asking Newman if he's going after The Big Mick because of what he did to Redford's partner in crime.

Scott M said...

"... If the fine print says that George wipes the drool off my chin, I'm in. Don't hate me I'm a sucker for a handsome face..."

In a sentence that mentions wiping off a chin, being a sucker, and Clooney-worship, why is it that I'm coming to a completely different picture of what is to happen than the commenter intended?

Anonymous said...

Scott M said;
"... If the fine print says that George wipes the drool off my chin, I'm in. Don't hate me I'm a sucker for a handsome face..."

In a sentence that mentions wiping off a chin, being a sucker, and Clooney-worship, why is it that I'm coming to a completely different picture of what is to happen than the commenter intended?

4/27/12 10:18 AM

Cause you have a dirty mind?

Deborah M. said...

Does a win include air fare and accommodations?

Deborah M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I can't think of anything more desperate and undignified than going to a party that you were not invited to but "earned" with a $3 raffle ticket!

Patrick said...

Leslyn, you'll have to let us know how your date with George went? Was the President more like a third wheel?

Anonymous said...

PatinCA, I guess you better tell that to the Romney campaign. Read EDH at 9:38 AM.

kcom said...

"Will enough donations come in to pay for the cost of jetting the O's across the country to Clooney's house and back?"

Haven't you heard? Obama has the government pay for that. He pretends he's on official business and sticks it to the taxpayers.

Leland said...

Shouldn't this earn an "Obama as boyfriend" tag, or would that seem like swinging?

Shanna said...

Does a win include air fare and accommodations?

I was wondering that myself. My money's on No.

edutcher said...

AllieOop said...

PatinCA, I guess you better tell that to the Romney campaign. Read EDH at 9:38 AM.

The problem is that Zero's campaign is hemorrhaging donors and has to resort to this non-stop.

Besides, I'd rather take a chance to go to dinner with a real woman than a dud actor and an empty suit.

Rabel said...

The "chance" looks like it is limited to making a pool of 50 "potential winners."

To make the final cut you have to have an "appropriate range of views."

Pretty sure Meade and me are out of luck. Not so sure about Althouse. But that's the big question, isn't it?

"Sponsor will, in its sole discretion, then select two (2) winners from the list of eligible potential winners on the basis of criteria determined and applied by Sponsor to provide for an appropriate range of views, backgrounds, and interests among the winners selected."

Scott M said...

"Sponsor will, in its sole discretion, then select two (2) winners from the list of eligible potential winners on the basis of criteria determined and applied by Sponsor to provide for an appropriate range of views, backgrounds, and interests among the winners selected."

That's just Esperanto for white, female, college student.

leslyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Calypso Facto said...

$3 chance at dinner with Obama? Pretty cheap. Dog market is down?

Richard Dolan said...

"What's grassroots about making a donation in response to the First Lady of the United States luring you to a movie star's party?"

Only this: in that sentence, grassroots = suckers. They're second cousins to the clingers.

Crimso said...

"In a sentence that mentions wiping off a chin, being a sucker, and Clooney-worship, why is it that I'm coming"

I must confess that I had to stop reading right there.

Patrick said...

Leslyn,

Protecting you, or Clooney?!

Aridog said...

edutcher said: Besides, I'd rather take a chance to go to dinner with a real woman than a dud actor and an empty suit.

you might add to that "... or to just grab a beer with Meade and Ann for the heck of it."

A far better deal than Clooney & Obama, even if you pay for the beer!

Patrick said...

'Cause I hear the Secret Service guys may not be so good at that.

Scott M said...

I must confess that I had to stop reading right there.

I could have spelled it literally, but I judged it childish.

Peter said...

Why don't you send them a letter asking if they could make a small contribution to help you pay down your student debt (even if you don't have any)?

ricpic said...

And if you make it to the party you'll be able to join in the fun as we knock the stuffings out of a white woman pinata!

Anonymous said...

ScottM, Crimso and Clinton, three peas in a pod, oh no, never mind, a better analogy, the three stooges.

LilyBart said...

Aw, come on Ann. Send some CHANGE and they'll let you HOPE you can go!

Scott M said...

ScottM, Crimso and Clinton, three peas in a pod, oh no, never mind, a better analogy, the three stooges.

Crimso, she said pod. 10,000,000 isk says she's in goonswarm.

Anonymous said...

After looking up what the heck Goonswarm is, I have to say the only games I ever played online was Angry Birds and here on Althouse.

Known Unknown said...

than a dud actor

Clooney has his flaws, but I am objective enough to say he's a fairly talented actor.

I admire his stance and dedication on Darfur, but do not abide some of his more liberal leanings.

MayBee said...

I've never heard anything bad about Clooney (although I think he went on a bit of a bender around the 2011 Oscars), but I wouldn't let his penis anywhere near me.

It seems like it's a penis that is probably growing something at this point, but not grass roots.

leslyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deb said...

Does a win include air fare and accommodations?

I was wondering that myself. My money's on No.


In that case, forget it. I'm not part of the 1%, like George, Barack and Michelle.

yashu said...

A recent blind item in the celebrity gossip blogs:

In Hollywood, it’s popular to be socially liberal and a Democrat. This handsome American actor is an industry leader in supporting Democratic Party candidates. He has donated his time and money and creative fundraising ability to many Democratic causes. However, he has a secret about the way that he votes that only his close friends know. He publicly talks like a Democratic Party loyal. But he actually votes Republican. A lot.

Haha. I can't imagine this could possibly be Clooney.

But wouldn't it be a kick if it was!