Obama set for George Clooney fundraiser tonight

President Barack Obama discusses the situation in Sudan with actor George Clooney during a meeting outside the Oval Office, Oct. 12, 2010, at the White House in Washington.

/ White House Photo/Pete Souza

All you need to attend tonight's big fundraising event for the Obama Campaign, hosted by movie star George Clooney, is a check for $40,000 made out to the Obama Victory Fund.

It was originally thought the event would raise $6 million dollars for President Obama's re-election bid. But just yesterday, an Obama campaign official said $14 million was expected to be raised. That would make it the single biggest fund-raising event for Mr. Obama since he filed with the Federal Election Commission on April 4, 2011 as a candidate for re-election.

Actually, four individuals will be getting in without contributing $40,000. They are winners of the Obama Campaign fund-raising sweepstakes to win "An Evening with President Obama and George Clooney."

Anyone contributing as little as $3.00 to the Obama campaign over the last six weeks was eligible for the contest. Tonight's winners include Beth Topinka, a science teacher from Manalapan, New Jersey and Karen Blutcher, a mother of a five-year son from St. Augustine, Florida. Each of the two women gets to bring a guest as well. Their prize included airfare to Los Angeles and a hotel room for the night.

The Obama campaign has been using contests like this to stimulate modest contributions from grass roots supporters. Previous winners have won dinner with President and Mrs. Obama and a D.C. restaurant.

The Clooney event in Los Angeles caps a day of fund-raising for Mr. Obama that began in Seattle. The president attended a $17,900 per person event at a private home, and then was to appear before 1,800 supporters paying at least $1,000 each at the Paramount Theater in downtown. Dave Matthews was entertaining the crowd before Mr. Obama arrived.

Today's three events bring to 133 the number of fund-raisers Mr. Obama has done since filing for re-election 13 months ago. It's far more than any of his recent predecessors in their re-election bids.

[Sosickofliberalbias]

Clooney, what an idiot! Isn't it surprising that the most successful Hollywood movies are based on conservative characters or conservative storylines? Yet Hollywood is so rediculously liberal? Such a disconnect. Sad that Hollywood has any political pull at all.

[stormerF69]

I thought all the CZAR positions were taken? is that what the payees were trying for? Like the Great Lakes CZAR what the hell does she do?Like the intelligence CZAR,California water CZAR, Car recovery CZAR,list goes on and on and on,talk about waste and duplication in government we even have an Afghan CZAR who reports to Hillary Who has 13 other people who do the same thing.

[marychgo]

The states ARE, as Obama said, in control of defining marriage. So the issue will have to be resolved in the courts. I don't see how ANY court, even John Roberts' SCOTUS, can interpret the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection clause in a way that permits states to define the legal contract known as "marriage" in a way that grants rights and privileges to heterosexual couples but denies them to same-sex couples. It was, after all, the Equal Protection clause that forced the court to throw out all state laws forbidding interracial marriage....

[stormerF69]

Mary from Chi town,Race and sexual orientation are some what different. Hard to hide your race when your Black but if you gay you do not have to have it tattooed on your forehead.

[aintfakin]

gep1955 May 10, 2012 9:12 PM EDT
$40k a plate? Obama pretends to hate the 1% until its time to collect money from them then he's all buddy-buddy. Disgraceful.
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Remind me when Obama said he hated the 1%ers
besides all of them aren't glutenous pigs
kind of sad when you have to make things up to support your agenda
if you are not a 1%er your a very "useful idiot"

[aintfakin]

Titles May 10, 2012 9:04 PM EDT
The left should now pressure Obama and the Dems to put forth something real, not just their personal thoughts...

When will the legislation be introduced?
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oh itxs been introduced alright
ask B itch McConnel and Eric CANTor about it

[stormerF69]

Name one bill that Dingy Harry has brought to the floor for a Senate vote?

[takacrat]

Big Stick Obama
First Lady Biden
For President

[gep1955]

$40k a plate? Obama pretends to hate the 1% until its time to collect money from them then he's all buddy-buddy. Disgraceful.

[stormerF69]

No,.. it is call Hypocrite,Narissistic liar.

[tryingtodogoodwork]

President Barack Obama is the best president the U.S. has had in my sixty years. Indeed, he is the best our country has elected since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Obama, 2012!!!!!!!! (eight exclamation points, eight years in office)

[stormerF69]

Trying,.. your going to have to work another 60 years to pay for all Obama's spending so get back to work and off the computer.

[tryingtodogoodwork]

I'm married to a lovely and extraordinary woman, we're expecting our first child in October -- and gay marriage does not lessen or degrade the value of my marriage (or yours or anyone's) in the least. Nor does it challenge my masculinity or her femininity. What a ridiculously fearful person it takes not to recognize the right of all people to marry anyone they choose.

Strong, smart, wise, brave decision Mr. President.

Obama, 2012!!!!!!!!

[Sosickofliberalbias]

It was a political move. The thought that you believe for a second he was sincere is sad beyond belief. He is a horrible president. He will go down in history as the most divisive president ever. He is a fraud. This is just one more lie he believes will keep him office. Please be smarter then this.

[notyrants]

michaelz06 May 10, 2012 7:31 PM EDT
SO that would make you what? A low-life whining left winger? While you ponder that, ponder this....just how often liberals who post comments on these articles rapidly resort to derogatory labeling of anyone who disagrees with them. Perhaps if you spent more time actually thinking about the issues in this election, and less time working on the name calling, you might just have an epiphany and realize that there are valid reasons why Obama needs to go.
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I've been listening closely to economists of various backgrounds, etc. What I cannot figure out is what is the complaint and the solution that mouthy people like you are offering.

[michaelz06]

You've been listening to the wrong economists then....and from your myriad of posts, I will cede the "mouthy" title to you. On the economy, it's the debt. My issues with our current president are not simply about the economy though. I didn't like the apology tour, announcing a timeline for withdrawal is idiotic, the constant campaigning, the crap about the Buffet rule, I could go on and on. I will vote my opinion, you vote yours, and we will see what happens in November.