First Lady Michelle Obama's $10K Photo Op Charge

Ten grand? Hell, that's nothing compared to what Wall Street and the Koch Bros. are giving to Cain & Perry right now -- but ya won't see a photo op of that one!! Come on, ladies ;)

I love hearing people say some of us have no respect for the office of president and yet all his raffles and gimmicks to raise cash seem to indicate he is the one with no respect for the office.

I don't see any difference between paying this amount for an actual photo with her vs. the same amount for a table at a dinner or some type of fundraiser. Actually, this has more bang to it cause, hey, it's a PHOTO with the First Lady. A dinner is just a dinner and you may or may not get close to the primary people.

Is it any different than when you take your kids to Disneyland, and then you have to pay $100 for a "Princess Lunch" so your kids can get a picture with the Disney Princesses? In life, it often costs money to be able to take pictures with your hero. First Lady Michelle Obama is no different. People with a lot of money would donate anyway, but at least this way, they get to take home a memento of the occasion. I don't see a problem with it.

Pimping? Odd choice of words to describe the First Lady allowing photos with her to be purchased.

You purchase pics with Santa Claus! Is he pimping himself? And what does that make the purchaser of said pics?

Look, these events are for the wealthiest of American's--people that can afford a $25,000 per plate dinner. And you think a photo-op with the first lady is in poor form?

Amanda F...my thoughts exactly.

LOTS of celebraties pose for fundraisers for the causes that are near and dear to them. Mrs. Obama is doing the same thing for the man who is near and dear to her.

I see no pimping going on... to pimp according to the dictionary is:
1.a person, especially a man, who solicits customers for a prostitute or a brothel, usually in return for a share of the earnings; pander; procurer.
2.a despicable person.
3.Australiaand New Zealand. an informer; stool pigeon.

I don't see that she fits in the categories here.

This is the First Lady.

And I am sure she is NOT the FIRST ONE EVER TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

SHE IS AN AMAZING WOMEN. LOVES HER HUSBAND AND IS WILLING TO DO SOME WORK TOWARDS HIS FUNDRAISING.

IF IT WERE THE CEO OF SOME MEGA COMPANY WOULD THAT BE BETTER SUITED FOR YOU GUYS??

WOW.

My outrage is not posted towards all here. But come freaking on. Let up on them. They are doing no more Rallying and fundraising that any other President HAS NOT DONE!

I think it's wrong. With the state of the economy - the last thing people need to be is spending money THOUSANDS of dollars for a picture...with the first lady...ANY first lady...

It is VERY cheesy and inappropriate...does that work?

EDIT: Laura Bush headlined a fund-raising luncheon for DeWine at a country club in suburban Kettering. The cost was $1,000 a plate, and $2,100 to get a photo with Bush. DeWine's campaign expected some 200 people....hmmm. TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS...NOT TEN (10) THOUSAND!!!

However as early as June 2011 - people paid $50 per ticket for a re-election campaign to hear her speak...and the following week from this people paid $2,500 to have breakfast with her and give the money to the campaign......so far it appears that they have raised $70Million towards his campaign...his goal is a billion - don't you think that's a tad obscene?

"Pimping herself out..."? Do you feel the same way about celebrities or musicians or speakers who charge an appearance fee? (Sorry if that comes across harsh - it's really intended as a real question - not sure how to phrase it better...)

Leaving the politics out of it entirely - I see nothing wrong with it. She's taking what people are wanting from her right now and using it to help her husband.

It's a picture... not a relationship...

Added - about your SWH - I'd about faint if you said Barbara Bush had pimped herself out for Daddy Bush. And yes, I would say the same thing I've said here about Michelle Obama. Presidents' wives, no matter WHO their husbands are, don't "pimp" themselves out.

Original:
Pimping? Really? It's a fundraiser. Why would you call it pimping? Is there anything that she could do to help her husband that you would consider to be alright, or do you think that NO candidate, including the President, should have his wife helping with fundraising?

When I help my husband with his career (minus the 10K amount), whether it was going with him to meetings to schmooze with clients, or even going in his place to meet work people because he was out of town, I NEVER considered it to be pimping myself out.

What terms will people come up with next to slam our first lady?

It is called a fundraiser.
All candidates do fundraising.
If it's a charity dinner, a $1500 per plate dinner probably raises a lot more than 10K--Duh! (Unless it's dinner for O..)

Compared to the 86 MILLION he's already raised from supporters, 10K seems like a spit in the ocean.

Most likely the people who feel it's a "bad" idea and that it's "obscene" are suffering from sour grapes, because Obama has collected more than all of the others combined. That probably speaks for itself. I think the Republicans better get out their checkbooks and start giving!

I think it's a great idea : ) Other's that don't just look for every little thing to complain about in regards to this presidency. Like when he took his wife to New York for a play. Oh how could he?? He used tax payers dollars is what they say. He used his paycheck to take his wife out. Just like we use our paycheck to go to the movies or on vacation. Yes, he needs extra security because he is our president. That's just how it is. But back to your question at hand: Nothing wrong with it at all ; )

*****After your SWH: I REALLY don't wanna give you a hard time, but I'M a Conservative. I don't like it when you generalized that everyone that disagrees with you must be doing so for political reasons. I have a problem with ANY person trying to make the other party look bad by any means such as attempting to make a non-issue into a problem. It doesn't make them look bad, it just loses your own credibility as a person of good political party judgement. I want Obama out, but not for some petty reason. There are real reasons out there that are blatant to me that are valid and worthy of discussion and change... but also, I don't even bring up what is credible evidence of his failure on this board as a request. Not the correct platform for that. Reading your SWH gave me the impression that you are trying to call her out on making a bad decision because she's a Democrat. Hey, I've got friends who are Democrats... don't you?
BTW, I thank all for the flowers, I hope yall are OK with what I had to say above as well.*****

Original Response:
I don't care for her husband, but I like the initiatives she has put forth. I like her stance of encouraging healthy and active kids (although I'm against any regulations on it), and she has remained a respectable woman. I like the way she speaks, it sounds genuine and certainly she has a LOT more emotion expressed than her monotone husband.

Like them both or not, one or the other, I won't let that alter my thinking of this initiative... I think it is quite common to do this as a fundraiser, and I don't think to make a big deal of it at all. No problem with me on this one.

OK...I'm gonna do it & I'm sure I'll regret it but...
The choice of words and the ridiculousness of even questioning this situation leads me once again to the idea that race is part of so many Americans outright hatred of this president and his wife.
All modern presidents (and yes their wives) have done things just like this to raise money and have for a very long time, it is not unusual at all.
In the eight years of Bush's rule I never heard anyone refer to Laura as "pimpin herself out" and I never heard anyone speak publicly about Bush the way they do about Obama.
I hated Bush's policies and privately, to my close friends and family I said some pretty awful things about him but I would never publicly disrespect any president that way. The undercurrent of racisim is obvious to me in tea party signs, statements conservatives make and just a genral lowering of the bar of decency that seems to have been afforded other people who held that office. I'm far from the only one who sees this but I think saying it is less common because of all the defensiveness and "race card" accusations that are sure to follow.
This site is to answer questions and give opinions and that is mine.

As long as the electoral system in this country is based on contributions from private individuals and huge corporations, and lasts for well over a year, then the funding has to come from someplace. The people who pay the money are doing it of their own volition, and I'd rather have people pay for a photo than pay for influence the way corporations do. I don't hear a lot of people suggesting we go to the British system of a 6-8 week campaign with government funding, then there's an election, and the winners form a government and start governing. (And no, I don't think that system isn't perfect! But we have a system here where only millionaires can fund their year-long campaigns, or they cave in to corporations and special interests.)

Photo shoots are actually a lot more honest than people trying to pay $100 a ticket to watch overpaid athletes run around a baseball diamond or throw a football. Or to watch Lady Gaga perform. So we live in a society that worships celebrities. We don't have royalty here so we have sports, movie and political celebrities. Michelle Obama also makes hundreds of free appearances in schools, libraries, hospitals, and veterans facilities. Other first ladies have written books. In all these cases, the money doesn't go to them - so if people are willing to pay it, it's pretty simple to me - people volunteer their money, and all they get is a photo. Doesn't compromise the first lady. Pimping herself out? Hell no - she's not dating anyone or wearing a thong or doing anything untoward. And how is this different from $2000 a plate dinners? People are paying to attend and be seen. They're not buying any influence.

And I agree with the other posts that previous presidents have done a lot more, and often a lot worse. Koch Brothers and more. It's underhanded and filthy. Photo shoots are not new and there is nothing inherently wrong with them. I wouldn't spend it, but I have no problem with those who do.

I think this argument will pretty much divide along party lines, frankly.

This is standard operating procedure for both sides and all modern sitting presidents. Have you all forgotten the previous scandals? "When asked how many of the overnight guests stayed in the Lincoln bedroom while visiting President George W. Bush, a spokeswoman refused to answer the question directly. Instead, the reply was that she never asked and she was not going to pursue it any further as well." The going rate under Clinton and Bush was $100,000.
People with more money than brains that are willing to pay anything to get close to power are not my biggest concern in "this economy." They aren't spending rent money. It's a tax write off and is often bought and then raffled off for a fundraiser of thier own. This is another slight of hand meant to get you riled up about nonsense and forget the real issues at hand. Don't fall for it.

I think it sux and I will leave it at that. Time for a new president.

haha, they will do anything for money & to get him re-elected.....i love how they like to capitalize on the system but bash anyone else that wants to, a bunch of hypocrites in my eyes

Just another example of them treating themselves as celebrities and not as the president and first lady. Sounds kind of desperate and a bit narcissistic if you ask me....but whatever. Like Jess said, you couldn't pay me either to take a picture with her. And by the way, I wouldn't like it either if any of the other first ladies tried to do this.

If she was offering to have sex with these people for the 10K, THAN she would be pimping her self out, but it is only a photo shoot! Every dollar helps, I think it is a great idea. Plus, the people who can/will pay that for a photo with her would have more than likely donated anyways, this just gives them a fun keep sake for the $$$$.

You couldn't pay me to take my picture with her. Like someone else said - it's very little about fundraising, it's more just a presidentail campaign. Bleh. :P

Yes she is pimping herself. I would not watch the extreme home makeover season premeir with her in it I sure wouldn't want a picture of her with me. I don't detest her as much as her husband but pretty close.

Could you imagine all the good they could do with the millions upon millions of dollars...just for campaigning?? What ever happened to our presidential candidates trying to relate to the people they supposedly care about? I think one of the biggest issues, is we don't have a presidents, who understand what it's like to be the majority of Americans. I bet the 86 million he's raised could put food on a lot of tables. He doesn't really need to think about that. His daughters get gourmet food on expensive china, at one of the most prestigious private schools. His own are just fine.

P.S.
Let me just say...My opinion has NOTHING to do with race. Notice how I said "presidents." Meaning, I hate the policy of campaigning for millions of dollars. Period. Not matter who it is. No matter what party. No matter the race.

Amy- I think you need to read about what "impoverished" means. As far as I know, not a single modern president even has a clue about what it's like to be "impoverished." I'm not suggesting they should go to public school. Perhaps, they could go to a private school...that doesn't serve lamb for lunch. Just a thought.

I'd rather see her pose for a charity event, or something that would be of benefit to the country. He's already got enough money..But, really, I am not all that surprised.

There is no statement in the world more ignorant than to call someone racist for not liking the Obama's. Let's flip the switch on that...if you didn't like Bush, you are a racist. SAME IGNORANT LINE OF THINKING PEOPLE!! Good Lord! Get a grip...there are people of all races in the Tea Party. There are people of all races in both political parties. I can't stand Obama and am married to a black man who admitidly voted for him partly because of his skin color. So when we want to start tossing the race card around, why don't people take a look at themselves first?

Now to answer your question...it's stupid and ignorant. I wouldn't have used the term pimp...but it's essentially what it is.

Uh, I agree with the pimping herself out part. Guess no one else wants to send funds for them, or what???!!!

I agree with Mommy B
And, I think you used a poor choice of words and started another needless firestorm.

Ok, pimping sounds a bit inappropriate for a picture? She isn't having sexual relations for money! :) I think that if this is a way they want to raise funds for his campaign, then they have the right to choose that. Now with that said, I personally feel that America would be better served if ALL candidiates found alternative ways to campaign and donated the money they got to the people in America that really need help.

Let me guess... This is the latest huge issue on FOX news. Get a life. There are much more important issues to worry about. Possibly read a little deeper than the stupid stuff they try to make up.

Edited:
I am not surprised by anything they do to get money. What really surprises me is that he has made as much as he has. Oh, but I guess when you loan half a billion dollars to a worthless business to help out their investors who happen to be big Obama supporters/donaters payback is guaranteed. Esp. when those investors who should have lost a ton of money are set to get back their investments before the tax payers see a dime. Hmmm.....

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/10/14/hey-protest...

My dissatisfaction with Obama's presidency has nothing to do with race. He is not qualified to lead this country. The evidence is all around us. If you can't see that, then you aren't paying attention.

If people are willing to pay it, why not? It sounds like a fair fundraiser, doesn't sound like pimping herself out at all. TONS of celebrities raise money for auctions in similar ways. People pay way more than that for other celebrity memorabilia and such. If her worshipers wanna pitch in that kind of cash, so be it. Not anything I would do, of course. They should be paying us :) It would be awesome if that money was going to a charitable cause.

Well the intention is clear: Fundraising. So if someone wants to pay to pose, by all means they can because campaign contributions are tax deductible.

Maybe you got the responses because perhaps reading your question initially could be construed as baiting messy responses about Michelle O. I mean you did use the term "pimping" BUT she is not profiting from the pictures, the campaign is.

Maybe you ought to be honest about your true intentions for asking the question.

a take-off on PS' question here --
Anybody know how much of these campaign funds he/they get to keep if he does not win re-election??

(maybe this should've been a separate poll??)

Wow, PS. Great way to get everyone's blood racing first thing in the morning. Nothing like a little conversation starter.
:-)

If someone wants to waste $10K for a photo opportunity with Ms Obama... that's their money. I know I would not, tho I may pay $50 for one and no more than that.

Often we don't here all of the various fund raising event ideas that are done through a campaign season. I think she is probably charging far too little to spend time in her presence but it is a wonderful idea in support of her husband.

Many wife's of government officials do things that may seem like pimping in our worlds but some things come with the territory. She is willing and able so who am I to judge her choices? I wish the best for all of the candidate and for the process we have in this country.