Poll Results: Bad Idea Gingrich Charging $50 for Photos with Supporters

UPDATE Thursday. The overwhelmingly majority of readers answering our poll question: Is it worth $50 to have a picture with McLean Resident Gingrich? said no.

Please weigh in.

ORIGINAL STORY Wednesday. Republican presidential contender and McLean neighbor Newt Gingrich has initiated a new fund-raising tactic: charging supporters $50 to have their photo taken with him, according to several news reports.

MSNBC reported that Monday night at a campaign stop in Delaware: "Event attendees were allowed to take pictures with the candidate for $50 per photo. Before tonight, supporters took photos with Gingrich for free.

"Charging for photos, in addition to news that the campaign canceled a trip to North Carolina, contributes to the narrative that Gingrich is struggling to stay afloat financially," MSNBC reported.

The Huffington Post reported, "In an email to reporters, Gingrich press secretary R.C. Hammond defended the fee, writing, "Did you see reports today we are charging for photos? Some campaigns make you travel all the way to Wall Street to pay $2,500 for a photo with a candidate. We are trying out a new tactic and asking our supporters at our rallies for a nominal donation. And guess what, it is working."

"Hammond also stressed the importance of the campaign's small donors and worked in a plug for the campaign's online store, "where supporters can make a donation to receive a hat, a shirt or even a bandana for your dog" -- a relative bargain at $7.50," The Huffington Post reported.

Gingrich's campaign raised $2.6 million in February, a sharp decrease from previous months," the HuffPost said. Federal Election Commission filings from last month show his campaign $1.6 million in debt, more than the three other contenders for the GOP presidential nomination.

AOL is the parent company of McLean Patch and The Huffington Post