You Can't Make This Stuff Up ...

When I first heard about the Obama Event Registry I thought it was a joke – a conservative dirty trick designed to make the president look bad. The president’s re-election campaign team couldn’t possibly have sunk so low to do what they were accused of doing.  But they did.

So here it is, from the You Can’t Make This Stuff Up Department:  Team Obama is asking supporters who are getting married or having a birthday or celebrating an anniversary to tell your well-wishers not to give you a gift, but to give the money to the president’s re-election campaign instead.

I’m not kidding. Here it is, straight from the campaign’s Web site:

“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 all appreciate—and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl.”

Think about it.  Instead of buying your newlywed friends some china, or instead of giving your nephew David a bar mitzvah present, instead of giving grandma a few books for her 100th birthday, you can donate the money to … Barack Obama!

“Got a special milestone or event coming up? the Web site asks. Well then, “Instead of another gift card you’ll forget to use, ask your friends and family for something that will go a little further: a donation to Obama for America. Register your next celebration—whether it’s a birthday, bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, or anniversary—with the Obama campaign. It’s a great way to show your support for a cause that’s important to you on your big day.”

I swear, I still can’t believe that this isn't a Republican dirty trick.  Except … I went to snopes.com, the Web site that checks out rumors and urban myths and Snopes says this one is … “True.”

So, after you register, you can type in a message to your friends – perhaps this one which the Obama Web site suggests:

“For my big day, I'd like to show my support for a cause I believe in -- re-electing President Obama. That's why I'm asking my friends and family to donate to the Obama campaign. Thanks for chipping in!”

My sources tell me Mr. Obama is planning a similar fund raising campaign for Christmas.  The Web site, I’m told, will say:  “Hey kids, you don’t want a bicycle from Santa for Christmas, or a doll or baseball glove.  Who needs crap like that?  So, tell your Mom and Dad to contact Santa right away and tell him to take the money he would have used to buy you that junk … and send it to Barack Obama.”

If Mr. Obama uses the money to take a long trip to get over losing the election in November, I’ll call Santa myself.