Celebrities raise $1.3m for Obama

BBC News ^ | February 21, 2007 | Staff

[MadIvan]

A host of Hollywood celebrities have donated $1.3m (£664,000) to Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign at a lavish fund-raiser in Los Angeles.

Film producer Steven Spielberg, actor Eddie Murphy and singer Jackson Browne were among those at the event.

It comes a year before California holds its primaries in the run-up to the November 2008 presidential elections.

The entertainment industry has traditionally been a lucrative source of cash for the Democrats.

Tickets for the star-studded reception were sold for $2,300 - the maximum individual donation for a federal campaign.

The event, at a Beverly Hills hotel, was organised by Spielberg and his Dreamworks studio co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

Mr Obama - one of six Democratic party hopefuls - told the audience they had "enormous power" that comes with "enormous responsibility" because of their impact on American culture.

"Don't sell yourselves short," he said. "You are the storytellers of our age."

Later, a private dinner was organised at Geffen's home for those who raised at least $46,000 for the evening.

In the last presidential election in 2004, the entertainment industry gave $33.1m to federal candidates and parties, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

[MadIvan]

Obama's is definitely the "West Wing" candidacy.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[Tulane]

This guy will be crushed by Hillary or Edwards. He has VP nominee written all over him.

[Carbonsteel]

Don't bet on it. Edwards is a moron, and Hillary's no where near as smart as everyone gives her credit for.

Obama's sharp and has a cool head. All he really has to worry about is the Clinton propaganda machine and hit squads.

[MadIvan]

As a blue state Senator, he'd be a very poor pick for VP. Richardson is the most intelligent choice. Obama / Richardson is a possible.

Regards, Ivan

[RockinRight]

Jackson Browne?

He's certainly "Running on Empty" it seems.

[kb2614]

told the audience they had "enormous power" that comes with "enormous responsibility" because of their impact on American culture.

Barf

[MadIvan]

It's usually a safe bet that if Hollywood swoons over someone, to avoid that person like poison.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Barf

I concur.

Regards, Ivan

[NCC-1701]

He has VP nominee written all over him

He has LOSER written all over him.

[TexKat]

Obama war chest fattens in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., wrapped up his first California campaign with about $1 million more in his campaign coffers.

After announcing his candidacy 11 days ago, Obama scheduled a 3-day trip to California, capped Tuesday with a public rally in the predominantly black Crenshaw neighborhood and followed by a Beverly Hills fundraising dinner, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.


At the Crenshaw rally, the freshman senator recalled the civil rights legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., before heading to the Beverly Hilton Hotel for a $2,300-a-ticket dinner.


The event was thrown by DreamWorks studio co-founders David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.


Earlier this week, Obama raised money in La Jolla, San Francisco and Palo Alto, the Times said.


The man, who if elected would be the nation's first black president, plans similar rallies during the next week in Austin, Texas; and Cleveland.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/Daring_dress_means_trouble_in_Thailand/20070221-093757-8617r/

[sauropod]

I'm going to be heartily sick of Ears by '08!

[TexKat]

Obama banked checks from stars such as George Clooney and Barbra Streisand at a private fundraiser after earlier urging an audience of thousands at an outdoor rally in Los Angeles to help him transform America.

Spielberg, for example, is a host of the event but has not made an endorsement. Katzenberg and Geffen are backing Obama.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0221Obama21-ON.html

[bettysue]

A host of Hollywood celebrities have donated $1.3m (£664,000) to Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign at a lavish fund-raiser in Los Angeles.

For the record, this is an absolutely PATHETIC take.

Mitt "The Stormin' Mormon" Romney is regularly taking in more than FOUR times that amount at his dinners [$6M+].

When the PIAPS does Hollywood, she'll be expecting to draw EIGHT times that amount [$10M+].

If a measly $1.3M is the best that Barack Hussein Obama can muster from the likes of David Geffen & The Sodomites, then the dude is toast: Break out the champagne, Hillary, 'cause the fat lady has sung.

[Miss Marple]

I thought it was a low figure as well. Apparently the media loves him so much they are willing to make it sound like he has gathered a lot of money. Feh.

I also liked the line "Don't sell yourselves short" which Obama told all of these airheads.

As if David Geffen has EVER sold himself short. HA!

[MadIvan]

I am just as nervous about an Obama presidency as a Hillary one - Hillary is evil, this bloke is vacuous. Hillary would enjoy the power to blow up the world, Obama might accidentally sit on the button.

Regards, Ivan

[Dante3]

No surprise that celebrities support Obama. Like them, he is shallow and a creation of the media.

[MadIvan]

Here's what scares the hell out of me - that Obama may become an extension of Hollywood's fevered imagination; they're probably reading all their twisted liberal fantasies (i.e., like the West Wing) into him.

regards, Ivan

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Good. Obama can't win. Hillary can.
Be afraid of Hillary. Be very afraid. Hillary is a committed communist. Obama is 100% liberal. Feminazis will hiss, spit and claw to get their Hillary elected.

[MadIvan]

Horrifying thought of the day - who would be Secretary of State in a President Hillary scenario?

Regards, Ivan