Chgo Sun-Times Columnist Flacks for Obama Fundraiser

Chicago Sun-Times columnist, Lynn Sweet, seems to have changed hats from journalist to Obama fundraiser promoter. In reporting on new fundraising efforts by the Obama campaign due to their worry over the energized McCain-Palin team, Lynn slips from straight reporting to acting as a flat out PR agent for an upcoming Chicago fundraiser. First Lynn mentions the new concern about the rise of the Republican presidential team in her column:

WASHINGTON--The McCain-Palin ticket is up in the polls--but wait--it's a fund-raising opportunity for the Obama team, a chance to sound the alarm to high end female donors. The Obama campaign is planning a major fund-raising push aimed women next month in Chicago. Men are welcome--if they donate at least $1,000--the price of a general admission ticket. To be a national chair of the event, raise $100,000 or contribute $57,000

"Women for Obama" and the Democratic National Committee had holding a two-day conference in the city featuring the who's who of Obama's policy and political world. (complete schedule is at the click) For donors who want to elbow with the Obama big shots, this conference, as one fund-raiser put it is "absolutely the best buy in the campaign in terms of bang for your buck."

One fund-raiser, in sending out a pitch, said this conference "will be the most visible statement of support for women the campaign will be making. Don't let McCain and Palin take this from us."

Okay, this could be considered going a bit overboard in promoting a political Obama but it doesn't even scratch the surface of all out flackery that is about to come:

pitch from a Obama fund-raiser....read through for conference schedule.

It will be held just a few weeks before the election so will be a very timely and historic event. General admission tickets are $1000 and VIP $5,000. General Admission tickets are available only through September 15th. This is absolutely the best buy in the campaign in terms of bang for your buck. Please consider coming. Men are welcome as well. Consider bringing your friends and family from around the country to share in this historic event - your moms and daughters and college roommates. You can contribute and send guests under your name if you cannot attend or want to pay for others to come. It will be an experience you will never forget. And while you are doing it you will be helping Barack fund his campaign and make a strong statement of support for women. Below are details on the event. You can also sign up to be part of the leadership and raise $25k of more. Please pass this on to your friends.

Think Sweet went a bit too far in promoting this fundraiser? Folks, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Lynn proceeds to act as a flat out promoter for this event in excruciating detail as she uses her column to relay an entire Obama campaign press release:

Women for Obama ● DNC Women's Leadership Forum

National Women's Leadership Initiative
National Issues Conference
Friday, October 10 - Saturday, October 11, 2008
Chicago, IL

Barack Obama's Plan for America - The Difference an Obama Presidency Will Make
Draft Agenda

I S S U E P A N E L S


National Security & Foreign Policy
Protecting Our Homeland and Restoring American Alliances -
What an Obama Presidency Will Mean for National Security

The Economy
Keeping America's Promise -
The Route Back to Economic Security and Strengthening the Middle Class

Health Care
A Plan for a Healthy America - Quality, Affordable & Portable Coverage for Every American

Energy and Climate Change
New Energy for America - Investing in Renewable Energy and Green Jobs

Standing up for Women
What's at Stake - The Courts, Reproductive Choice, Equal Pay & Work-Family Balance

F E A T U R E D B R I E F I N G S

How We Will Win
Campaign Strategy, Polling Update and the Reasons Republican and Independent Women
are Choosing Barack Obama

Women Stepping Up to the Plate
Highlighting Extraordinary Women Leaders on the Campaign Trail

Let's Get to Work
Ground Game Strategies and Messages for Women to Take Back Home for Election Day

National Issues Conference
Friday, October 10 - Saturday, October 11, 2008
Chicago, IL

O V E R V I E W
The National Issues Conference will be the central focus and defining event of the National Women's Leadership Initiative, a joint effort between Women for Obama and DNC Women's Leadership Forum to recruit and engage women leaders from across the country to work together and raise money in support of Senator Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. Hundreds of dynamic women leaders, from all 50 states, will convene in Chicago, IL for a two-day conference featuring Senator Barack Obama, high-level policy makers and senior campaign advisors. This conference will highlight the role and significance of women's leadership in electing Barack Obama, present important policy and campaign strategy updates and provide field tools for women to take back to their communities.

L O G I S T I C S
The National Issues Conference will be held on Friday, October 10th (early afternoon) - Saturday, October 11th (evening) in Chicago, IL. We are confirming a venue, hotel block and a schedule of speakers. We will get this information to you as soon as it is available. We encourage women to start making travel arrangements now as this is expected to be a busy weekend in Chicago with the Columbus Day holiday.

R E G I S T R A T I O N
Please register for the conference by making a contribution online at https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/OVFWLF or mailing a check with the attached form. We have extended our deadline for $1,000 tickets - the last day for $1,000 tickets will now be Monday, September 15th. Due to interest, we expect this event to sell out early. Final registration deadline for the conference will be Tuesday, September 30th.

T I C K E T L E V E L S
National Chair - Raise $100,000 or contribute $57,000
National Chair &Private Leadership Committee Reception, Program Listing, VIP Seat, Private Event- TBD
State Co-Chair - Raise $50,000 or contribute $28,500
Private Leadership Committee Reception, Program Listing, VIP Seating, Private Event - TBD
Leadership Committee - Raise $25,000 or contribute $10,000
Private Leadership Committee Reception, Program Listing, Premium Seating, Private Event - TBD
Premium Ticket - Contribute $5,000
Premium Seating and Private Event - TBD
General Admission Ticket - Contribute $1,000
General Admission Seating

OBAMA VICTORY FUND CONTRIBUTION FORM

The first $2,300 of each contribution from an individual will be allocated to Obama for America and will be considered designated for the general election. The next $28,500 of each contribution from an individual will be allocated to the Democratic National Committee. Any contributor may designate his or her contribution for a particular participant. (Participants are Obama for America and the DNC). The allocation formula above may change if any contributor makes a contribution that, when allocated, would exceed the amount that the contributor may lawfully give to either participant.

Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.

□ YES, I WILL ATTEND the National Issues Conference in Chicago, IL Friday, October 10th - Saturday, October 11th
□ I am unable to attend the conference, but would like to join the National Women's Leadership Initiative.

National Chair: Raise $100,000 or contribute $57,000
State Co-Chair: Raise $50,000 or contribute $28,500
Leadership Committee Member: Raise $25,000 or contribute $10,000
Leadership Delegation & Premium Ticket for the National Issues Conference - $5,000 Contribution
General Admission Ticket for the National Issues Conference - $1,000 Contribution (until September 15th)

All that's needed here is a checkbox that says: "I am unable to accept the notion that a columnist should act as a political fundraiser flack in her own column."