Obama Fund Raising Idea--Tacky or Not?

I'm a registered Republican, but I've actually voted for a democrat or two in my life.  Maybe more.  I don't think all Republicans are good, and all Democrats are bad.  And I'm not a bit shy about complaining when Republican politicians, (as well as Democratic ones), do things I think are wrong.  In fact, I'm still griping about the way our 2012 presidential candidates behaved like bickering children during  the seemingly endless debates held  to pick a nominee for this year's election.  I waited in vain for each of them to get down to the business of telling us how they planned to run the country if they should be the eventual choice of the party.

No such luck, and we still aren't hearing a lot from either the Republican or the Democratic side about the really important issues of the day. We are, however, in addition to all the finger pointing  and blaming going on, beginning to hear a lot about fund raising.  (I definitely support term limits and campaign finance reform.)

One of the most interesting fund raising attempts I have heard about so far was discovered by my daughter on the Barack Obama website.  If you want to check it out for yourself, go to http://www.barackobama.com/ and scroll down to the section called "Obama Event Registry."

Most of us are familiar with bridal registries in stores where young people can make a list of things they would like to receive as shower or wedding gifts.  If you wish, you can check the list at the store and purchase one of the gifts the couple has listed.  (I never have liked this idea.  For some reason, it seems tacky and a bit greedy on the part of the recipient, but I grew up in a different time.)

Laura Wilson, a frequent contributor to the Obama-Biden website, suggests that people who are being married or involved in some other activity before the election where a gift is expected, should consider registering on the Obama site to request that a monetary gift be made to the Obama-Biden election campaign in lieu of a regular gift for the birthday, wedding, anniversary, or other special occasion.

I don't know about the average Democrat, but most Republicans I know---including me---would not appreciate being asked to contribute to someone else's political campaign as a wedding gift.  Food for the hungry, maybe.....but a political campaign, I don't think so!  I wonder what Emily Post would say?

Here's an exerpt from Ms Wilson's article:

"Obama Event Registry

Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming up?


Let your friends know how important this election is to you---register with Obama 2012, and ask for a donation in lieu of a gift. It’s a great way to support the President on your big day. Plus, it’s a gift that we can appreciate---and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl.


Setting up and sharing your registry page is easy---so get started today."