How much in taxes would you pay to have dinner with Barack and Michelle?

While reading my morning dose of morality in the latest Mary Worth comic strip, I noticed a banner ad advertising a chance to win - yet another - dinner with the Obamas, where "we'll even pay your airfare."  Of course, I suspect starry-eyed supporters envision dining en famille over arugula and kale with The First Family in an intimate setting, whereas it will likely be a table in the back of the room at a large White House event.

Don't worry - there is still likely to be arugula and kale.

But I took a closer look at this latest raffle.  You don't need to donate to his re-election campaign to win.  In fact, they promise that "[c]ontributing will not improve chances of winning."  Of course, they are really hoping that you will throw a few bucks his way.  After all, campaigning is an expensive proposition.  But, you know, they don't want to appear like they're begging for it.

But reading further, I noticed this:

Three winners will each receive the following prize package: round-trip tickets for winner and a guest from within the fifty U.S. States, DC, or Puerto Rico to a destination to be determined by the Sponsor; hotel accommodations; and dinner with President Obama on a date to be determined by the Sponsor (approximate retail value of all prizes $4,800).

Never mind that if you are in Guam or American Samoa, no soup for you!  Why would they tell you the approximate retail value?  Because you will have won it, which means you will have to pay taxes on your dream. Just like any lottery.  No executive order for you!

That makes me wonder - if someone just below the poverty line won this, when they file their next year's taxes, could this put them in a position of losing certain government benefits?

I'd laugh.