Did Barack Obama violate federal election laws by announcing a raffle while in the White House?

  It is being reported in this story that Barack Obama may have violated federal election laws by filming a video for his re-election campaign in the White House.

In the video, President Obama promotes a “Dinner With Barack” raffle. To participate in the contest you need to donate at least $5 to the president’s re-election campaign and your name will be raffled off to enjoy a dinner with the President, airfare and accommodations included

  The White House is denying that this was a violation of election laws because the “raffle” is not considered to be fundraising.

A presidential spokesman said that the video does not constitute fundraising under the law, that portions of the White House can legally be used for that purpose anyway, and that previous presidents have done so

  I find it hard to believe that a “raffle” in which the proceeds go to a re-election campaign is not considered fundraising under federal law, but taking Barack Obama at his word, and conceding the point that portions of the White House can legally be used to fundraise just in case it is ruled that this does constitute fundraising, does this make it any less offensive?

  Even if no laws were broken it is still in extremely bad taste to conduct a national raffle anywhere in the White House and should be considered beneath the office of the president. Think about this for a minute; Barack Obama has decided to hold a raffle for the privilege of having dinner with the president, and the announcement was made in the White House. Is this really the level he has stooped to in his bid to hold onto power?

 I can’t even put into words how disgraceful I find this to be.