THE OBAMA FOR America campaign is trying a different approach in its push for financial support from the public.
Anyone with a special event such as a wedding or anniversary can register with the Obama 2012 campaign and have their friends and family donate to the campaign instead of giving them a gift.
Comments on the campaign site under the event registry have been largely scathing of the proposal, with some people criticising Obama for ‘panhandling’ while another accuses him of “asking for kiddies birthday money”.
Obama opted out of public financing for his 2008 campaign for the White House and reportedly raised almost $750 million, according to figures released by the Federal Election Commission.
FEC figures also show that his campaign to win the 2012 election raised over $250 million by the end of May – over twice the figure cited for Republican Party candidate Mitt Romney. Overall, Republican candidates raised $266.7 million by 31 May.
