President Barack Obama’s Monday evening campaign email warned supporters not to “break in to [sic] that minibar” if the recipient wins a trip to have dinner with Barack and Michelle Obama. Contestants can enter the contest by donating $3 to the campaign.
The warning comes on the heels of reports that the “free” dinners, which the campaign says include travel and lodging expenses, are valued at $4,800 and could end up costing winners hundreds of dollars in taxes.
The email, sent out under Obama for America Chief Operating Officer Ann Marie Habershaw’s name, begins saying, “One of my responsibilities as chief operating officer of this campaign is to sign off on travel costs — so I see every expense for a hotel room or plane ticket.”
Though she conceded that, “Managing the logistics of these dinners is tough” she wrote that it “is a huge priority for this campaign. You guys are out there knocking on doors, making calls, and working hard to re-elect the president. You deserve a thank you.”
“And don’t forget,” she concluded, “I see the hotel bills, too, so don’t break in to that minibar.”