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Obama campaign revamps trip offer

The campaign reworded a solicitation on its website to comply with state law. People can now win a trip without donating money.

By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune

Last update: July 9, 2008 - 7:51 AM

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Barack Obama's presidential campaign modified a solicitation for donations on its national website Tuesday evening to comply with Minnesota lottery laws after it was informed by a state law enforcement investigator that it was violating state law.

The website had previously offered supporters who donated at least $5 to the campaign a chance to win a free trip for two to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Doug Forsman, a special agent with the state Department of Public Safety, said he told the campaign such a solicitation was illegal in Minnesota because it constituted a lottery. Only the Minnesota State Lottery is permitted to conduct lotteries in the state.

"We are happy to have resolved this issue working closely with state officials," said Nick Kimball, a spokesman for the Obama campaign in Minnesota. "We look forward to continuing a substantive conversation with Minnesotans about Senator Obama's ideas to ... get America back on track."

Forsman said he had given the national Obama campaign two options Tuesday morning.

Forsman, who works in the alcohol and gambling enforcement division, told the campaign it could state on the website that the contest was void in Minnesota and make it clear Minnesotans could not participate in the trip contest; or change the rules so a person could win the trip without donating.

Donation optional

Forsman said Kendall Burman, staff counsel for Obama for America headquarters in Chicago, agreed to make the donation optional.

"We never set out to criminalize these people," Forsman said. "We always hoped it could be resolved by voluntary compliance."

The Minnesota Gambling Board received a tip on Monday of a possible violation. Tom Barrett, executive director of the board, said it might represent an illegal raffle and turned the matter over to the Public Safety Department.

Barrett said Tuesday he would have handled the issue the same way, regardless of the candidate's party. Barrett said that while he serves at the pleasure of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, he is not associated with any political party and was an appointee of Gov. Jesse Ventura, of the Independence Party.

The Obama website offered donors a chance to win a free trip to attend the Democratic convention and meet Obama backstage before he delivers a speech at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High, which can accommodate 75,000 people. Each of 10 winners would be allowed to bring a guest.

Illegal lotteries uncommon

Forsman said illegal lotteries are not common in Minnesota. He said most cases involve legitimate organizations misinformed about state gaming laws.

The Obama campaign's first reaction on Monday was that its program was not a raffle, with people being chosen on the basis of their individual stories and other factors.

The revised website now states, "If you do not wish to make a donation but would like to participate in this program, you can still be selected to join Barack at the Democratic National Convention in Denver by clicking here."

Forsman said no further action would be required by his department.

Randy Furst • 612-673-7382

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