by Jim Tankersley
DENVER, Colo. -- The cities hosting the Democratic and Republican national conventions buzzed this week with a mini-controversy over whether Barack Obama's presidential campaign was running an illegal raffle that offered contributors a chance to meet him backstage before his acceptance speech.
The Obama camp put a quick stop to it - but not without generating some headlines in the process.
The controversy started in Minnesota, site of the Republican National Convention in September. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that "The head of the Minnesota Gambling Control Board said that a solicitation for funds on the national website of the Barack Obama presidential campaign may constitute a raffle, which is a violation of Minnesota gambling laws."
At issue: An Obama solicitation that promised anyone donating $5 or more before July 31 the chance to be one of 10 supporters selected for a trip to meet the presumptive Democratic nominee backstage at the party convention in Denver.
Denver's Rocky Mountain News reported Wednesday that the campaign changed the raffle to avoid any legal hassles: "Under new rules, supporters don't have to donate money to win one of the trips, which include a seat for Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High and meeting the candidate. Instead, the campaign will choose 10 people based on 'individuals' stories and other factors,' said Matt Chandler, Colorado press secretary for the Obama campaign."
All is apparently well in Minnesota, the Star-Tribune reports, quoting Doug Forsman, a special agent with the state Department of Public Safety: "We never set out to criminalize these people," Forsman said. "We always hoped it could be resolved by voluntary compliance."
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Here I thought Obama was a lawyer. Illinois law is very clear on what constitutes a raffle. (230 ILCS 15/) Raffles Act. "The player pays or agrees to pay something of value for a chance, represented and differentiated by a number or by a combination of numbers or by some other medium, one or more of which chances is to be designated the winning chance." What, Obama has never read Illinois' revised statutes even though he was a lawyer here? Question: Did Obama EVER pass the Illinois bar exam?
Posted by: Darrow | July 10, 2008 8:16 AM
More FLIP FLOPS-----
Posted by: George | July 10, 2008 9:50 AM
Some more lapel pins to throw at the Democrats and Senator Obama!! Come on, when are you going to focus the bright light on King Flip-Flopper, Senator McCain?? Just on his flippity-floppity on the President Bush's rebate to the rich, should give him the crown of flip-flopper of all times. Maybe in your next issue you could discuss his flips and flops on the immigration, but I will not hold my breath !! I know how much you like flip-floppers, especial, King Flip-Flopper, Senator McCain !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | July 10, 2008 3:23 PM
I'm sorry Don, but McCain has rarely changed his positions. Especially not AS MUCH as Obama. Obama has reversed nearly every liberal position he's held years before and during the primary.
The story in interesting, but of little/no consequence. And while I dislike the term flip-flop-er, I have to say it's very accurate in describing Obama. And it's much nicer than shady, manipulating, rat politician. Which would also be accurate.
Posted by: xax | July 10, 2008 5:55 PM
Get real xax.
McCain has flip flopped so much he can't remember his positiion on many things.
Don't like what McCain says,now? Wait 15 minutes, he'll change it.
Posted by: Margaret | July 11, 2008 12:55 AM