Obama’s fine print on convention speech tickets
posted at 8:50 am on August 13, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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“You are required to volunteer.” That would normally be a splendid example of an oxymoron, but it also describes the process for those who want to see Barack Obama speak at Invesco Field as he accepts his nomination. Instead of simply throwing open the doors to the public free of charge, as the Obama campaign publicly proposed, tickets get distributed on a pay-in-kind basis:
“I got a call that if I want the tickets I have to volunteer two shifts of three hours apiece — for one ticket. If I want two tickets, then it’s four shifts of two hours apiece,” said Berenice Christensen.
Another 7NEWS viewer sent an e-mail that said, “I received a call Monday saying I could ‘qualify’ for the tickets if I do 12 hours of volunteer work for the Obama campaign between now and Friday the 15th.”
The viewer e-mail goes on to say, “To work 40 hours at my job, get to and from work, get to and from the campaign office and complete the 12 hours in three days would be next to impossible.”
This raises some questions about the event. If the campaign requires people to work for several hours to acquire them, doesn’t that make this an in-kind contribution rather than volunteer work? If people who have already contributed to the limit for Obama perform work as compensation towards these tickets, then they could break campaign law by doing so.
Even without the campaign-finance issues, this looks very much like a bait-and-switch by Obama. The entire point of the Invesco address was to welcome everyone for free, perhaps because they wanted to ensure that the place was filled to capacity. Now, with everyone excited about attending this free event, Obama suddenly tells them that they can’t get a seat unless they work for him first.
Like most of Obama’s plans, nothing is free. We’ll pay one way or the other for every supposed giveaway in his policies. And in the end, he wants everyone working for him, while tossing hosannas at his feet and giving him the best optics he can possibly get.
One last thing: Obama didn’t require Germans in Berlin to work for him in order to cheer him at the Tiergarten. Why does Obama treat Germans better than Americans?
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Forced slavery… just like what use to go on at concentration camps.
madmonkphotog on August 13, 2008 at 8:55 AM
How can volunteering be mandatory?
Ah yes…Obamaworldview.
MadisonConservative on August 13, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Would casting palms on his path for tickets qualify as in-kind work, or mere adoration? Any theologians in the house to help us with this?
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Why is the Messiah hurting for volunteers?
EJDolbow on August 13, 2008 at 8:57 AM
It’s possible the Obama people figured out that a 75,000 seat stadium filled with angry Hillary Clinton supporters, let alone fans of Maverick if they gave the tickets out for free might be a bit problematic, and the work order is their way of creating some sort of loyalty oath for The One.
jon1979 on August 13, 2008 at 8:57 AM
I’d volunteer my time. Think of the damage I could do!
ynot4tony2 on August 13, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Bait and Switch.
Much closer to the truth than Hope and Change.
Rhinoboy on August 13, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Forced volutarism…an earmark of Stalin and Mao. (Obama probably picked up that idea in Hawaii, talking to “Frank.”)
Why does Obama treat Germans better than Americans? They are European. They can say more than “merci, beaucoup.”
[BTW..."Tiergarten" means "zoo." Take from that what you will...]
coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 8:59 AM
The Dems are really going to regret having nominated this empty-suited Marxist.
Dusty on August 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Perhaps he’s German-American. I don’t know that much about his background.
JiangxiDad on August 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM
And what happens if you don’t volunteer after attending the Messiah’s anointing? Do the Dempolice come drag you out of bed at 3:00 AM and make you call potential voters?
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Didn’t Michelle say he was going to make us work?
ctmom on August 13, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Hah! A politcal casting couch!
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 9:02 AM
I hear he’s bringing seven loaves and a basket of fish to the stadium.
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 9:03 AM
So who is on the mandatory volunteer list to help Michelle’s children?
bbz123 on August 13, 2008 at 9:03 AM
wow, just wow.
trailortrash on August 13, 2008 at 9:04 AM
At my office, we call things like this “Voluntold” instead of “Volunteer”.
Queasy on August 13, 2008 at 9:05 AM
aw, just like my Mom saying “Can you wash the dishes?” when she really meant “Wash the dishes.”
Yeah, being told what to do works out sooooo well.
mjk on August 13, 2008 at 9:07 AM
An excellent reversal on his slogan, and oh so true.
It’s a great idea for a 30 second TV ad. Show Obama saying ‘hope,’ and one example of what he said, and then the word ‘bait’ on the screen followed by one of his flip-flops. Same with ‘change’ and ’switch’ with another example.
Would show him to be the flim-flam salesman that he is. Carnie-barker, even. Or snake oil salesman, all the while surrounded by throngs of gullible people who have been captivated by his routine.
wise_man on August 13, 2008 at 9:07 AM
I hear the magic moment will be when hundreds of searchlights are turned on, pointed skyward, and the Young Democrats march in carrying lit torches…and Obama
mountswalks up to the rostrum. And as a hush falls over the enthralled adoring crowd, the words “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Obama!” ring out across the land. A truly Leni Reifenstahl moment, indeed.coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Because that’s whats going to happen if he’s elected president. Promises before, and then the bait and switch for us all after he gets in.
There are so many examples, red flags of this already that it shouldn’t take anyone by surprise if he succeeds.
wise_man on August 13, 2008 at 9:09 AM
“Klaatu barada nikto.”
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 9:09 AM –
Yes. You do get it.
coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM
They are going to need more volunteers for handing out soap before the concert, and after the concert to clean up all the hippie smell the rain washes off.
cntrlfrk on August 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Forcing the True Believers to work for them for free.
Has the Obama campaign already burned through all its money?
AZCoyote on August 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Ask an IRS agent about our “voluntary” tax system.
Ann NY on August 13, 2008 at 9:12 AM
You guys are crazy. This isn’t “forced” volunteering because you don’t have to go. My mother and sister go to a bluegrass festival where the only way you can get a place to park is if you agree to volunteer at a booth for some amount of time.
If Obama went to Republicans and demanded they volunteer, then you could start calling this Maoist.
This is overreaction over nothing.
jimmy the notable on August 13, 2008 at 9:12 AM
To bump you up 2 rows closer you can do some yard work.
Washing and perfuming Michelle’s feet allows you to bring a small child to sit on your lap.
Bomb the U.S. Capitol mailroom and you can host the campaign kick off.
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 9:12 AM
wise_man on August 13, 2008 at 9:09 AM –
Red flags? Of course, “red” flags…and the masses, the “dobrovoletsi,” ["volunteers"] with their red flags held high will hail their new messiah in unison.
“Frank” must be gleefully laughing in his grave right now.
coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Many public schools require a certain number of hours working for “volunteer” organizations before you are permitted to graduate.
Of course the schools, er, I mean the teacher’s unions, get to pick which organizations qualify.
MarkTheGreat on August 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM
You guys are crazy. This isn’t “forced” volunteering because you don’t have to go. My mother and sister go to a bluegrass festival where the only way you can get a place to park is if you agree to volunteer at a booth for some amount of time.
If Obama went to Republicans and demanded they volunteer, then you could start calling this Maoist.
This is overreaction over nothing.
jimmy the notable on August 13, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Apples and oranges, but I’ll give you an A for effort.
swami on August 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Knock, Knock!! Dis eez zee volunteer poliz. You have not met your quota. Let me see your papers.
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 9:19 AM
You need to brush up on Campaign Finance Laws and “in-kind contributions.”
If a guy owns a burger joint he can not “volunteer” 5000 burgers to campaign UNLESS that campaign reports the 5000 burgers with a monetary value.
These tickets are not “free” therefore they have some monetary value.
Obama will have to report the value of the work done by these volunteers as campaign contributions.
EJDolbow on August 13, 2008 at 9:19 AM
The gall of this man knows no bounds. I hope everyone planning on going decides not to.
Seeing him giving a speech in an empty stadium would be priceless!
becki51758 on August 13, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Of course it’s voluntary.
Nobody is required to graduate from high school. You are required to go, but not required to graduate.
MarkTheGreat on August 13, 2008 at 9:21 AM
On the other had, if for some really strange reason, the Democrats wise up and give the nomination to Hillary.
This would leave them with a situation in which everyone who has a ticket to the big speech, had just “donated” two hours of labor to the Obama campaign.
Now that’s what I would call awkward.
MarkTheGreat on August 13, 2008 at 9:25 AM
This may be illegal.
A friend tipped me off last year that the city where I live waives fees for organizations to hold street fairs. The catch is that they can’t require people to pay for entry but can ask for a donation. However, the street fairs charge an admission fee unless they are reminded that an admission fee is not a donation and that they are in violation of local ordinances. Whether someone has to pay a couple of bucks or work a couple of hours for entry, that’s a fee and not a donation. It would be worth looking into to see if Denver has similar laws.
Blake on August 13, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Our kids did all the mandatory volunteering they were supposed to. Yup. We didn’t fudge the hours at all. Nope.
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Nothing arrogant about this. Nope. Not at all.
Ooooh I can’t wait for the flip flop on this one. What kind of fantastical bizarro spin will they toss to the fawning Media.
ronsfi on August 13, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Obama is a public figure, the taxpayers pay his salary and he’s running for president of the United States and he DEMANDS your labor in order to see his public event. This is no overreaction, this is an outrage.
Let’s see, at minimum wage, 12 hours of time is worth about $84 bucks. that’s figured at $7.00 per hour. You can go see REAL rock stars for less than that. The absolute arrogance of this man is beyond anything I’ve ever seen in a Western politician.
Maxx on August 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM
MarkTheGreat on August 13, 2008 at 9:25 AM –
As much as I detest Hillary, the idea of a floor fight reminiscent of Chicago 1968, with the thousands and thousands of protesters outside the convention hall, also reminiscent of Chicago 1968, would be a poetic justice long long overdue. It’d be bit more than “awkward.”
coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM
coldwarrior,
I was thinking of Hillary giving an acceptance speech in front of all those Obama “volunteers”.
However, I agree completely with your point.
MarkTheGreat on August 13, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Sounds like something Hugo Chavez did a few days ago where he told workers at one of his projects that they should reject capitalism and volunteer to serve in their capacities for the good of the movement.
elduende on August 13, 2008 at 9:32 AM
[wise_man on August 13, 2008 at 9:07 AM]
A carnie barker ad would be fantastic. Even better show him in the stall and then in another one, then in another one. As the ad fades out, pan out to show ten Obama’s manning (sexist attack!) all the carnie games.
Dusty on August 13, 2008 at 9:34 AM
A good article on that exact point here.
JiangxiDad on August 13, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I guess those Palestinians that were phone banking for him would be eligible to come then, huh?
CP on August 13, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Around our house it is called being “Volun-told“.
Ugh, I grew up with a “Big Brother” I don’t need another.
Swinehound on August 13, 2008 at 9:43 AM
I am sure his Free health Care, Universal Pre-School and the rest will be only if you work on his next campaign.
Now that would be a great commercial.
WoosterOh on August 13, 2008 at 9:46 AM
You are kidding right?!
Swinehound on August 13, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Pick up your chairs on the way out.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2008 at 9:55 AM
To pour some cold water on this I think Bush/Cheney did something similar at events in 2004. I know for sure that after speeches by the President people were ushered in an area where they were strongly encouraged to make phone calls right then and there.
As for volunteering as an in-kind contribution I don’t believe there’s a limit. Or else unpaid advisers who have lucrative jobs (ie. McCain’s friend Charlie Black) would burn up their donation in just a few days.
seanhackbarth on August 13, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Excellent article, thanks for the link.
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Puhlease… forced slavery… get a grip.
perhaps forced spell checker would be more in order… quite a leap from perform service for a ticket to Mao and Stalin..
A voice of reason in a wildnerness of over the top outrage.
Bradky on August 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Bring me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses…and bleed the sonsabitches dry.
whitetop on August 13, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Irony and humor go hand in hand.
coldwarrior on August 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM
If that’s true then it would have made the news, I never read about it and I followed the election very closely. If you are going to say something like that then you need a link to back it up. I don’t remember any such thing and unless you can produce a link I don’t believe it.
Maxx on August 13, 2008 at 10:04 AM
.
Are we forgetting that laws are optional for democrats?
.
.
That one is easy. Quit your job. You won’t need one anyway, once the messiah begins his rule.
Think_b4_speaking on August 13, 2008 at 10:05 AM
No one can be surprised by this, can they?
Anyone who takes these tickets under these terms deserve to be tricked by their Obamalord.
seanrobins on August 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Very ‘Hitleresque’ of Obama…what happens if they don’t volunteer?
“re-education” labour camps:
Karmi on August 13, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Wow, Germans got a concert and free sausages. What do home grown Democrats get? Work.
red131 on August 13, 2008 at 10:07 AM
seanhackbarth:
Yeah, being strongly encouraged to campaign at a campaign event is exactly the same as being told you can attend for free, then later told you have to work for hours mopping or moving chairs or running phone banks to attend.
Or, alternatively, not.
Man, we’re talking masters of simile here.
Merovign on August 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM
The pet phrase of the internet gunslingers. Old phrase: “You have impugned my honor and we must have a duel”
Brings up visions of John Wayne whipping out a Blackberry to defend the honor of the fair maiden…
Bradky on August 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM
A great oak tree from an acorn grows.
OldEnglish on August 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM
“Which candidate understands your situation better…”
Yeah, good job Obama, forcing people with full-time jobs to use their free time to work for you. Way to go! I’m sure the single mother with three kids, working 2 jobs, is really going to appreciate it!
Seixon on August 13, 2008 at 10:18 AM
And the Germans got beer and popular bands. What is Mr. Obama’s draw for this event? Ah yes, his magnetic personality and volunteering to save us from ourselves.
amr on August 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Gee I thought it was a choice of the ticket receiver — you know kind of like the mortgage crisis.. they should have read the fine print and we shouldn’t bail them out..
Bradky on August 13, 2008 at 10:21 AM
isn’t that how the chinese gave their people admission to the opening ceremonies?…
ocbrat on August 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Truly this is the liberal/socialistic way, the only purpose people have according to Democrats is to serve the government. Your duty is to work and pay your ever increasing taxes and this is your only purpose in life. Democrats are the party of slavery and we are becoming ever more enslaved each day with their twisted anti-freedom policies. Its called collectivism which is a means of enslaving a population without them knowing they have been enslaved.
Maxx on August 13, 2008 at 10:24 AM
By requiring this bit of indentured servitude, the Obama camp ensures that the audience will be filled only with the most willing sycophants to his cause. Rather brilliant, that.
Mibrilane on August 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Paid Volunteers……again nothing new….anyone remember Americorps? Clinton’s community service program
Dpet on August 13, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Clinton music selections for Denver Democrat Convention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfHTGg3kqBo
Dr Evil on August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
BTW…
How come I can never sign up for michelle’s other site so that I can post comments?
That sucks.
madmonkphotog on August 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
The ChiComs are busing in “volunteers” to put asses in the seats at their phony Olympics too. Hmmm, a pattern?
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Well you’ve got to understand that the Euro’s are super elite and knowledgeable compared to American’s. For example, Euro’s are smart enough to know how dumb and utterly uncultured Americans are. Obviously Euro’s are a cut above and must be treated with more respect. You couldn’t expect Obama to give such credence to the unwashed, undereducated, uncultured, mouth breathing masses of America. That just wouldn’t be right. Obama is greatly enlightened so he is able to see these things clearly, we can only hope to attain these great revelations.
Maxx on August 13, 2008 at 10:40 AM
MM had an open registration the other day.. it’s closed now..
DaveC on August 13, 2008 at 10:49 AM
When you think about it, what better way to weed out all but the most die-hard, cult worshipping and personally invested crowd. Those will be real tears seen on TV screens, real swooning, real screams of joy! Probably even have one hugh group orgasm. I do have one suggestion the Obama people overlooked. Why not brand everyone on the ass with a big “O”. That way, years later, they will be able to say “I was there” and be able to prove it by dropping their pants. Wonder if free samples of KY jelly will be handed out at the gates?
GarandFan on August 13, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Ahh.. My favorite example of forced volunteerism is in “Animal Farm” working on Sunday was optional.. but if you didn’t work you didn’t get any grain for the day..
Napoleon is always right.
I will work harder
DaveC on August 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
give the obama/goatse sign at the gate and you will be well supplied..
DaveC on August 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
“Barack is not going to let you go back to your pathetic lives! He is going to make you work!”
Jaibones on August 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I bet one of those liberal “artists” like Broose Spreengfield will play for, umm, free.
kirkill on August 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Obama could “afford” to “treat” the Germans to beer, brats and a rock concert because GERMAN TAXES PAID MOST OF THE BILL. Hence his denouncing the event as political so as to feign apolitics for the night though playing the role of benevolent Weltkaiser. NONE THE LESS, political international contributions are what occured from the German government by the German taxpayers padded by international business consortiums that have directed Obama’s career since his undergraduate degree and first job. THEY threw the ubertard festival pro-Marx DNC campaign media event for POTUS 44 Wannabe Obamarx.
And Obama’s only “achieving” claim to fame REMAINS AS EVER communist agitator, aka “community organizer” with the agenda to first overwhelm our nation’s elections via falsified records whilst legislating encumbrances to dissolve the Constitution and our national identity. In that, malleability is Obama’s revision of the Ginger Bread Man escape clause. Deny, deny, deny. Never stand for anything but oneself which remains nothing but Marxism.
DUMP ON OBAMA
maverick muse on August 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Arbeit macht frei!
pseudonominus on August 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Much ado about nothing, but I love this quote:
You mean where you get something for doing nothing and then complain it isn’t enough, Heather?
BacaDog on August 13, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Because Germans have a demonstrated history of following charismatic leaders right into the fires of Hell.
Kafir on August 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Sehr interessant, der Beitrag wie die Spende.
Werk macht Frei.
Obama has given Democrats the perfect retort.
“That’s not the Obama I thought I knew.”
Maintain the DNC Convention Delegate Vote Tradition.
Operation Chaos electoral contributors send regards.
maverick muse on August 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM
From the NY Times:
An example in the story was a woman who did volunteer getting a far-away seat while people who did volunteer got better seating.
The practice makes sense from a campaign perspective, but it’s could be a little annoying. However, let me point out that at a 2004 Bush event I was at in Milwaukee Bush campaign workers didn’t brow beat me to make phone calls. The Obama campaign is being more aggressive.
seanhackbarth on August 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM
A few days ago, I noted a headline article about suburbanites supposedly leaving the GOP for the DNC. That allegation was based upon two women employed within the public education system.
1. They were already democrats.
2. Their brainwaves are incapacitated.
3. Their socio-education enforces mental incapacitation.
maverick muse on August 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Funniest thing? Liberals whining about having to volunteer for something. Didn’t somebody write a book about how conservatives volunteer a whole lot more than liberals a while back?
funky chicken on August 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Much ado about nothing, but I love this quote:
You mean where you get something for doing nothing and then complain it isn’t enough, Heather?
BacaDog on August 13, 2008 at 11:15 AM
LOL yep
funky chicken on August 13, 2008 at 11:37 AM
but do they love The One enough to keep their cool if He tells them so?
funky chicken on August 13, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Hilarious! Perhaps there’s a Photoshop opportunity here?
That, sir, is over the line. I am deeply offended by the mere suggestion. (launches Photoshop… googles buttcrack… makes muahahaha-like sound…)
Gilda on August 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Again, socialism at its best.
Umm are they having trouble finding volunteers?
allrsn on August 13, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Yes, he did.
They volunteered for a lot of Arschküssen und Arschlecken.
Entelechy on August 13, 2008 at 11:48 AM
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