Obama's Billionaire Buddies

Forbes ^ | January 17, 2009

[Steelfish]

Obama's Billionaires Claire Obusan

President-elect Barack Obama has had a slew of billionaire backers with him on his journey to the White House--plutocrats who provide economic and political advice and help to raise money. Lots of money.

Obama's Billionaire Buddies Obama's national finance chairwoman during his presidential campaign was Penny Pritzker, one of 11 members of the famous Chicago family that appear on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans (combined net worth as of September: $21.6 billion).

As of Nov. 24, 2008, Obama's campaign had raised a record-breaking $742 million during the election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) chief executive Eric Schmidt endorsed Obama last fall and is currently a technology adviser in his transition team. Schmidt and Google co-founder Larry Page have each contributed $25,000 to the inauguration events. The New York Times recently reported that the search engine company is throwing a bipartisan bash on Inauguration Day.

Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) founder Bill Gates and chief executive Steve Ballmer have each contributed $50,000 to the festivities. As a Democrat, Obama enjoyed consistent support from Tinseltown tycoons.

Famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, Dreamworks co-founder David Geffen and Star Wars creator George Lucas all threw their support behind the president-elect through campaign donations. Geffen became one of Obama's most important early supporters. In February 2007 he famously ditched Hillary Clinton in favor of Obama at a time when Hollywood was split over the two candidates.

Geffen held a fundraiser with Spielberg and Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg in 2007 that reportedly collected $1.3 million for Obama's presidential run.

Financier Ken Griffin, leader of Chicago hedge fund Citadel, and famously left-leaning moneyman George Soros also contributed money to Obama, as has legendary investor Warren Buffett.

[Steelfish]

This makes me sick!

[Perdogg]

George Soros?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Niuhuru]

vomit vomit vomit

[proudofthesouth]

The Marxist is nothing more than a puppet whose strings are being pulled by other people.

In Jim Henson’s wildest dreams he couldn’t have created a puppet this good.

[marlon]

And let’s not forget that POS Peter Lewis founder of Progressive Auto Insurance. I don’t care if they have low rates, I will never use them.

[HighlyOpinionated]

I don’t understand this. Barry Zero has friends who have given him millions upon millions of dollars and yet they can’t do something charitable and give money to the banks, auto industry, UAW, etc, etc, ad vomitum, to bail us all out?

Do they only “give” money when they know they’ll “get” something in return? Don’t answer.

Barry Zero wants to tax the rich more? Okay, they can bail the US out of the “depression.”

I just found out I don’t have to pay Federal or State Taxes on last year’s income. I’m retired and am living just a cut above poverty level. I’m so glad. It’s not my money that will be funding Barry Zero’s regime. Or Potentate. Or Caliphate.

[blueplum]

Google and Microsoft IE control what we see via searches, thereore, they should be reclused from supporting any candidate directly. Soros, breaker of Bank of England and recently of fame as breaker of the banks of America and Europe in general, controls the dem party thru moveon org and therefore, also should be precluded from contributing directly to any candidate. My two cents. imo jmo moo