Anna-Lysa Gayle, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – With the 2012 Presidential election quickly approaching, president Obama is finding new ways to raise funds for his re-election campaign, mixing fashion and politics.

Last month, Obama announced on his blog that he would be launching a “project by fashion designers in support of Obama 2012.”

Last week, he made a much bigger splash.

On Tuesday, the Obama campaign launched the new line, “Runway to Win,” at a fashion show in New York City. The event was hosted by actress Scarlett Johanson and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

The show featured clothes from 23 famous designers and a variety of styles ranging from $45 to $95 — the proceeds of which go to the Obama Victory fund.

In response to the New York City show, the Republican National Committee fired back with a Youtube clip that says, “There are some campaign moments money can’t buy. Obama’s celebrity-filled fashion show is one of them.”

In comments posted in reaction to Obama’s blog post, reactions to Obama’s new clothing line differed. One reader asked, “Is this such a good idea? I mean, at a time when so many of us barely have enough pocket change at the end of the month to maybe order a pizza or maybe go out to dinner, is it wise to cater to the 1% who have the money to be able to afford to wear expensive designer clothes when the rest of us are shopping at thrift stores for bargains.”

Another reader remembered the time she purchased a “Change” T-shirt to support Obama’s first campaign. “It is still one of my favorites. Love supported our president by purchasing new clothes.”

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