Would you give up your special occasion gifts for Obama?

President
Barack Obama’s campaign is asking couples to forgo wedding gifts and donate to
his campaign instead. It’s the latest fundraising gimmick by his campaign, which
has seen a steep dropoff in donor support since 2008.

A blog post on the Obama/Biden 2012 website rolled out the "Obama
Event Registry," which asks anyone with an upcoming birthday, wedding, or
anniversary to "support the President on your big day" by asking for donation
money "in lieu of a gift."

“Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding
coming up?” a "news item" on the website says. “Let your friends know how
important this election is to you—register with Obama 2012, and ask for a
donation in lieu of a gift. It’s a great way to support the President on your
big day. Plus, it’s a gift that we can all appreciate—and goes a lot further
than a gravy bowl."

The story links to a website that reads, "Got a
special milestone or event coming up?

"Instead of another gift card
you'll forget to use, ask your friends and family for something that will go a
little further: a donation for Obama for America."

The site provides
suggested language for couples to use when soliciting campaign cash. "For my big
day, I'd like to show my support for a cause I believe in — re-electing
President Obama," it reads. "That's why I'm asking my friends and family to
donate to the Obama campaign. Thanks for chipping in!"

In April, the
Obama campaign offered donors a chance to attend a high-dollar fundraiser at
George Clooney's house. Obama also used his dog, Bo, to raise funds by asking
donors to “Throw Bo A Bone On His Anniversary,” the bone being a campaign
contribution. “The first dog is wagging his tail in anticipation,” the
solicitation read.

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called the
registry “a new name for ‘redistribution.’” and commenters on the Obama/Biden
website were no kinder. “Not long before they start hitting up kids for their
tooth fairy money,” quipped one. “Is this what the office of the President of
the United States has come to? Pandering for wedding and birthday money?” said
another.

Many of the commenters suggest that the president comes off as
desperate as he struggles to keep pace with his Republican opponent Mitt Romney.
Romney and the Republican National Committee raised $76.8 million in May,
beating the $60 million taken in by Obama and the Democratic National Committee,
and Romney has closed in on Obama as Americans are more confident in the former
Massachusetts governor’s ability to improve the economy, a Pew Research Center
poll showed.

Donor support for Obama has fallen off a cliff compared to
2008. The Weekly Standard said that 88 percent of the people who gave $200 or
more to Obama in 2008 — 537,806 people — have not yet contributed that amount
this year.