Monroe couple sells Obama letter to make ends meet

[Bozita]

Last Updated: November 02. 2010 1:07AM
Monroe couple sells Obama letter to make ends meet
Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News

Monroe — In January, President Barack Obama buoyed Jennifer Cline's spirits when he wrote the unemployed Monroe woman a handwritten note promising "things will keep getting better."On Saturday, she sold the rare keepsake for $7,000 to an autograph collector to help pay bills.

"This will get us through the winter," said her husband, Jason Cline, 30, who repairs swimming pools. "I feel bad that we had to do this."

A former pharmacy technician, Jennifer Cline lost her job in 2007. Her unemployment benefits expired, and she is in remission from two forms of skin cancer. She was thrust into the news when Obama — who typically writes letters that are signed by a machine — penned a note thanking her for her "very kind and inspiring letter."

She declined comment Monday, but her husband said the sale came at a heavy emotional price. The two are still supporters of Obama, and it was difficult to drive to New York this past weekend to sell the letter to autograph collector Gary Zimet.

"She was broken up and cried over her decision," Jason Cline said. "She wanted to keep it more than anybody will understand. It made her year."

more...

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101102/METRO/11020370/Monroe-couple-sells-Obama-letter-to-make-ends-meet#ixzz148JZb2sb

[msongs]

1. change she can believe in nt

[speppin]

2. Things are not better for many but she seems to

be keeping the faith. I wish her well.

[Missy Vixen]

3. How is she "keeping the faith"

when she just had to sell a treasured keepsake in order to make sure her family will survive the winter?

[cbdo2007]

4. I'm sure he'll write her another letter after this story also - so there's another $7,000

Then, just a few more letters and they'll be making as much as I do.

[Poboy]

5. Tragic all around. So much more could have been done.

Missed possibilities and opportunities. Glad she at least had the letter to sell though.
She may not have wanted to sell it, but she got sold out beforehand.

[madmax]

6. This is terrible

I want to throw up when I read these things. What a great country? Wonder if someone with a heart and enough money would by it from the collector and give it back to the Cline's. :cry:

[xchrom]

7. my best wishes to mr and mrs cline. nt