The sweepstakes campaign – Obama and his contests

The pop-star president has been doing this for months, and Romney has gotten into the game. Can anyone provide an example from a previous president or presidential candidate where they hold a sweepstakes where if you chip in a few dollars you get a chance to win lunch with the president or candidate?

I’m not asking about charity events or buying a plate for a dinner speech, I’m wondering about examples like the one below. From an email just delivered…

I’m about to sit down for lunch with a few grassroots supporters who are being flown in from Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio.

It’ll just be me and these four supporters, with enough time to relax and have a real conversation.

I can’t wait.

I’m not going to get to do too many more of these before November. That’s just a fact.

So if you’d like to be there for one of the last ones, please chip in $5 or whatever you can — and you’ll be automatically entered for that chance.

Next time, I could be on my way to meet you.

Thanks,

Barack

I took a look at Romney’s website and he’s running a T-shirt contest where the winner’s design will be used and they will get a signed T-shirt from Mitt, and he’s into meet-and-greets/hang-outs as well now. A message from Ann Romney…

Every day, Mitt and I get to meet incredible Americans, hear touching personal stories, and see this country’s beauty. We feel so lucky.

If you could spend just a day on the campaign trail, you would see why all of this is so rewarding — and so important.

So here’s your chance to see for yourself. Two supporters like you will get the chance to join Mitt on the campaign bus and spend a day with him on the trail.

Donate $5 today to be automatically entered for the chance to join Mitt for a day on the road.