Obama's "Open Convention" Trip Promotion Called Gambling

[moriah]

Potus 08 had this guy on it this morning...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080708/ap_on_el_pr/obama_web_solicitation

First 4 Paragraphs:

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota official has asked state authorities to investigate whether a request for money by Barack Obama's presidential campaign constitutes an illegal raffle.

In a letter on the campaign's Web site, campaign manager David Plouffe ties the solicitation to the announcement that Obama will deliver his nomination acceptance speech at Denver's 76,000-seat Invesco Field at Mile High.

"If you make a donation of $5 or more between now and midnight on July 31st, you could be one of 10 supporters chosen to fly to Denver and spend two days and nights at the convention, meet Barack backstage, and watch his acceptance speech in person. Each of the 10 supporters who are selected will be able to bring one guest to join them," Plouffe says.

How the 10 will be selected is not detailed. The campaign says the solicitation is not a raffle.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Yeah, right.

You really think Obama's lawyers wouldn't have checked all this out first?

[bunnies]

2. Thats stupid.

Its no different that the lunch meeting he already gave away. Man. These guys are pathetic.

[Diamonique]

3. Not to be a wet blanket, but...

I ran into this problem a few years ago when running a raffle for a fan club. A raffle *is* gambling, and some states don't allow that type of gambling. However, I don't know if those laws can be enforced on the web. The raffle I was involved in was held at a scifi convention. We just turned it into an auction and we were fine.

[Fleshdancer]

4. what if they don't tie it to donations?

What if they open the contest to all people registered on the website instead? :shrug:

[hvn_nbr_2]

5. That would be the normal way to get around it.

The "no purchase necessary to win" logic. Just specify some way to enter without buying or paying for anything. I expect that they'll do this sooner or later.

[Imagevision]

6. Looking forward to Obvama-Mcbush debates, but I doubt if Johnny is...

76,000-seats? Gobama-Gobama-Gobama!

[NashVegas]

7. It's a Lottery

A situation where you have to spend money in order to get something for free. In itself, not illegal, but you need a license of sorts if you're going to *promote* it.