Watch CBS News

Billionaire Helps Raise Millions For Clinton

(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

SAN FRANCISCO -- Hillary Clinton's visit to the Golden State today was most certainly that, as she raked in over $1 million at a fund-raiser with multi-billionaire Warren Buffett of Omaha-based Berkshire-Hathaway.

Clinton and Buffett took the stage at the grand ballroom at the San Francisco Hilton to a standing ovation, despite being over an hour late. Both then sat on the stage before a banner which read "Ready to Lead: HillaryClinton.com."

The event was billed as a "Conversation with Warren Buffett" where Clinton asked pre-written questions from audience members to Buffett on a variety of economic issues. But Clinton didn't miss a beat, knowing that sitting before this crowd of 1,200 or so potential voters she had to inject her campaign talking points.

After hearing a long detailed answer from Buffett on derivatives, for example, Clinton would add a bit from her usual stump speech about Americans facing the current housing crunch.

Although Buffett has not endorsed Clinton, he has hosted several fundraisers for her. He has also hosted a fund-raiser for her Democratic opponent, Barack Obama.

At one point Clinton asked Buffett about tax disparity, to which he said jokingly, "It is a marvelous, marvelous time to be super rich," referring to the Bush Administration's tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.