Obama's Hollywood Fundraiser Nets $9M

Barbra Streisand Is Among Several Celebrities Helping Obama Raise Cash For DNC, Democratic Party

(CBS/ AP)  Barack Obama partied with Hollywood celebrities Tuesday night and with the help of Oscar-winning singer and actress Barbra Streisand raised an eye-popping $9 million for his presidential campaign and the Democratic Party.

The night was split into two glitzy events, a reception and dinner costing $28,500 each at the Greystone Mansion, followed by entertainment by Streisand at the nearby Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. About 250-300 people were expected at the dinner and about 800 at the entertainment, which cost $2,500 a ticket.

Dinner guests seen by reporters, or noted by waiters, included Will Ferrell, Jodie Foster, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis and DreamWorks founders Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Obama took a subdued approach at the fundraisers, reports CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic. "This should be a celebratory evening, we’ve got 48 days to go in a campaign, a campaign that started 19 months ago, at a time when a lot of folks thought we might not get here," Obama said at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel but he added, "I’m not in a celebratory mood." (Read more of Gavrilovic's report.)

Obama spent more than an hour before dinner getting his picture taken with guests. He said later that people had encouraged him to be tougher and had questioned why he was so calm in a close race against Republican John McCain.

"I'm skinny but I'm tough," he said. "I'm from Chicago and we don't play. Just keep steady."

"If we can cut through the nonsense and the lipstick and the pigs and the silliness, then I'm absolutely convinced that we are going to win," Obama said, referring to some of the offbeat charges raised against him.

"The reason I'm calm ... is I've got confidence in the American people," he said. "I really think they want to see us do better." Standing in the courtyard of the palatial estate, he said his campaign was dedicated to people who need jobs and health care and worry about their pensions and sending children to college.

"It's about those who will never see the inside of a building like this," Obama said.

He said the economic turmoil in recent days had been sobering for America. "It's reminded people that this is not a game. This is not a reality show, no offense to any of you," Obama said to laughter. "This is not a sitcom."

It was a day of contrasts for Obama. Earlier in the day, the Democratic presidential candidate spoke about the public's deepening economic anxieties and portrayed McCain as out of touch with the needs of hardworking people.

Then he flew to California for a night of hobnobbing with Hollywood notables.

McCain groused about Obama mixing it up with celebrities. He told a rally in Vienna, Ohio on Tuesday that Obama "talks about siding with the people, siding with the people just before he flies off to Hollywood for a fundraiser with Barbra Streisand and his celebrity friends. Let me tell you my friends, there's no place I'd rather be than here with the working men and women of Ohio."

A night earlier, McCain was with deep-pocketed donors in Florida and raised $5 million, a fact noted by Obama's campaign.

"I don't know who showed up down in Florida where he raised $5 million but my guess is that it wasn't a lot of nurses, firefighters and police officers," Obama's senior strategist, David Axelrod, told reporters. "The whole corporate lobbying community is rallying to his side. We're going to have to struggle to keep pace. You can't challenge that group and not expect them to have a lot of money."

While the final total was not determined, Obama's campaign did not dispute estimates that the twin events would bring in $9 million for Obama and the Democratic Party. That would be his second-biggest, fundraising day. Obama received $10 million from online donors the day after McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, delivered her speech at the Republican convention.

On another big fundraising night in California, Obama raised $7 million in August in San Francisco.

Obama is financing his presidential race with private contributions after abandoning a pledge to take public financing capped at $84 million. His campaign announced Sunday it had collected $66 million in August, a fundraising record for any presidential candidate in a monthlong period.

By comparison, McCain raised $47 million in August, a personal best for his campaign as well. After claiming the GOP nomination, McCain accepted the $84 million in taxpayer funds allotted by the public financing system for the race.

[rktsci3127]

Oh to be in with the Hollywood elete. Maybe Obama will scrape the plates, send some food and $5 off to his bro.

[dnsallday]

The night before, McCain was with deep-pocketed donors in Florida and raised $5 million.

"I don''t know who showed up down in Florida where he raised $5 million but my guess is that it wasn''t a lot of nurses, firefighters and police officers," Obama''s senior strategist, David Axelrod, told reporters. "The whole corporate lobbying community is rallying to his side. We''re going to have to struggle to keep pace. You can''t challenge that group and not expect them to have a lot of money."

Yet, somehow McCains supporters will simply ignore the fact that McCain is doing the exact same thing and that it is wrong for Obama to do it.
Do they live in a fairytale bubble, where they can only see what they want to believe?

[truthspeake2]

Oh to be in with the NeoCon elites. Maybe McSame and McPalin will sell some of their many properties, shoot some Moose from helicopters and send some food and $5 off to their not so fortunate rural NeoCons to get them to the voting booths in November.

[dnsallday]

On Monday, Sarah Palin hosted a major fundraiser on behalf of John McCain in Canton, Ohio. The event, which raised $1 million, was organized by W.J. "Tim" Timken Jr., a major Republican figure in the state.

Timken''s company, additionally, is a toxic figure within Ohio''s working class community. Only four years ago, Timken Co -- one of the largest manufacturers of tapered roller and needle bearings in the country -- was responsible for job losses in one of the hardest economically hit areas in the United States: Stark County, Ohio.

"He is the stereotypical Republican," said Johnnie Maier, chairman of the Stark County Democrats. "In John McCain''s book, Tim Timken makes more than $5 million so he is not middle class... They made $1 million in a [fundraiser] in a county where the private sector and the public sector are laying off people everywhere because people are broke."

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

It was an honor to give my money to Mr. Obama last night.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by gopfornever at 10:10 AM : Sep 17, 2008



"There''s a sucker born every minute"
P.T. Barnum

[afsc30574]

"I don''t know who showed up down in Florida where he raised $5 million but my guess is that it wasn''t a lot of nurses, firefighters and police officers," Obama''s senior strategist, David Axelrod, told reporters. "The whole corporate lobbying community is rallying to his side. We''re going to have to struggle to keep pace. You can''t challenge that group and not expect them to have a lot of money."

Yeah, the "common people" of Hollywood pony up 9M, and Mr. Axelrod wants to play the class-warfare card. Outstanding, because "you can fool some of the people some of the time..."

[alien_view]

The American Communist Socialist Party would also like to donate to Obama''s campaign. He is one step away from supporting our platform almost in it''s entiriety. Even the motherland loves him. Hollywood which is our best vehicle for our agenda supports our candidate Obama.

Gag me when will you idiots wake up out there.

[oscarez]

luvusa - You and your kind are what is wrong with the Republican party.

[xlib]

Here it is. Wasn''t here earlier. How nice that the chosen one has such great friends. The likes of babes and such. So, he begs out of letterman because of Ike stating "it wouldn''t be appropriate" and yet, this is ok. Love it, just love it. Yep, your messiah sure is "one of us."
jh6379-typical lib, only able to handle one thought at a time. Take some more koolaid, your tanks running low.

[xlib]

luvusa-He probably got as much as dodd, connors, gorelick,shalala, etc,etc. I understand fannie mae is run by dems. Don''t doubt it.

[freemanswish]

Serioulsy, Obama is so slippery

and fikle, he just bad talks

McCain which Im sick of negatives,

attacks Bush, he would blame anyone,

very negative vibe, and very stuck up

attitude this is not what we need.

We need solutions,real solutions.

I gave up and decided Hussein

Obama is like a farse, I dont need

to be cool and cosmopolitan.

I am an independent and I will

definitely vote for the McCain

Sarah Palin ticket at least I

know what they stand for.

[nvorr]

Don''t really see many dem drones on this thread...the information just doesn''''t compute in their brainwashed little heads. RICH = OBAMA, = OBAMA = MARXIST , YOU = IDIOT.

Posted by luvusa at 10:23 AM : Sep 17, 2008

-----------------------------------
Yeah, the "common people" of Hollywood pony up 9M, and Mr. Axelrod wants to play the class-warfare card. Outstanding, because "you can fool some of the people some of the time..."

Posted by afsc30574 at 10:13 AM : Sep 17, 2008
---------------------------------------

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

Posted by pmsnbc1 at 10:12 AM : Sep 17, 2008
---------------------------------

You Republicans are SAD. You all are upset because Obama raised almost $9 million at last nights event. He had wealthy celebrities turn out who willingly gave THEIR money. McCain on the other hand, raised $5 million the night before, also from wealthy patrons --- mostly lobbyists though.

Your problem is that McCain can never pull in the same amount, or more than Obama does. Using your rationale, RICH (also) = McCain, = McCain = MARXIST , YOU = IDIOTIC HYPOCRIT.

[xlib]

truthmatterz-well,nice story there, slick. Now, here''s a tale of woe. Erie County, New York, one of the hardest hit counties in the country for decades. Madame clinton gets elected to the senate supposedly representing New YOrk. She campaigns up here promising "Erie County''s problems are Erie County''s problems". Now, I know the madame isn''t running any longer but, face it slick, your side has absolutely nothing to brag about.
So, mccain and Palin got a million from this guy-BFD!!!!

[miles1967-2009]

Hollywood tends to be open-minded and tolerant. Thus, right-wing lemmings (close-minded and intolerant) tend not to like them.

But, if I was to have my candidate raise money from a group, I would rather it be Hollywood rather than lobbyists like McCain!!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[pmsnbc1]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

[nvorr]

Serioulsy, Obama is so slippery

and fikle, he just bad talks

McCain which Im sick of negatives,

attacks Bush, he would blame anyone,

very negative vibe, and very stuck up

attitude this is not what we need.

We need solutions,real solutions.

I gave up and decided Hussein

Obama is like a farse, I dont need

to be cool and cosmopolitan.

I am an independent and I will

definitely vote for the McCain

Sarah Palin ticket at least I

know what they stand for.

Posted by freemanswish at 10:41 AM : Sep 17, 2008

-----------------------

So, in the land you live in, there are no negative ads from the Republican camp, no flip-flopping, no elitist attitudes ($500 shoes for McCain, $300,000 outfits for Cindy), McCain/Palin have discussed issues and not made their campaign about personality instead?

It really says alot about you --- voting the McCain/Palin ticket because you "know what they stand for".

[nvorr]

With financial crisis on hand and Thousands suffering from Hurricane Ike, nobama goes to a babwa streisand concert!

NOT MY PRESIDENT!

Posted by pmsnbc1 at 10:46 AM : Sep 17, 2008
-------------------

But it was okay for McCain to attend a fundraiser the day before and rake in $5 million? Please, explain to us how attendance at the two events (McCain''s and Obama''s) differ.

[biger-e]

What do people who can spend $28K for a plate know about real America?
NOBAMA!

[questionnews]

# All Tied in Pennsylvania: Obama 47% McCain 47%
# McCain Holds 48% to 45% Lead in Ohio
# Race Still A Toss-Up in Virginia, Tied at 48%
# Florida: McCain Opens a Five-Point Lead
----------
Obama is history. At one time Obama lead big in all of these states but look at it now! The election will hinge on Florida and Ohio and McCain has taken the lead in both. Pennsylvania I believe will also in the end fall to McCain. That will only be icing on the cake. The Democrats (Obama) had this election in the bag and they blew it big time. If he had only picked Clinton you would not have the Palin effect that we are seeing.

Posted by commonsence1 at 10:54 AM : Sep 17, 2008

I agree. If Hillary was on the ticket the Dems could be shopping for the dishes for the White House by now. By stomping on Hillary & throwing her under the bus, they really offended a good part of thier own party. If the Dems lose, they have only themselves to blame. I still see alot more of Hillary in the news than I do Biden. Where''s Biden been hiding. (Hey that could be a bumper sticker)

[nvorr]

what a big waste of money and irresponsible spending.
barry obama is clueless as to what money means to middle class America! He should not be our next President.

Posted by funzie50 at 10:59 AM : Sep 17, 2008
-------------------

What do people who can spend $28K for a plate know about real America?
NOBAMA!

Posted by biger-e at 10:58 AM : Sep 17, 2008

-------------------
So, using your Republican logic (logic - that''s funny), please, explain to us how attendance at the two events (McCain''''s and Obama''''s) differ.

[omega40]

What do people who can spend $28K for a plate know about real America?
NOBAMA!

Posted by biger-e

LOL, I bet they know how many houses they own for starters.

[gop_will_win]

You know people by their friends:

Obama''''''''s friends -
Jeremy (Whitey is evil) Wright
William (I wish I had killed more Americans) Ayers
Babs (Bush is Hitler) Streisand
David Geffen
Tim Robbins
Micheal Moore
Lindsy Lohan
About 100 other H''''''''wood elitists snobs.

Pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the guy.
Posted by ritewingman
===============================
You forgot Larry Hoover and Jeff Fort, Chicago gang leaders. They are best buds.

[vickieb57]

I think Obama would do a great job as president, in Hollywood that is. He really puts on a good show. Maybe the powers that be in Hollywood should bring back The West Wing, he would make a great President there. But in Washington D.C., give us someone with REAL experience, who relates to REAL people.

Articles like this only help the Republicans. We might enjoy watching their movies, but very few people out there are fooled into believing Hollywood lives in the real world, so why would we take their advice to heart.

Everytime I hear Obama speak, I get this craving for a bucket of popcorn...

[omega40]

nvorr - not that liberals are acquainted with terms like "logic" but the amounts raised aren''''t the issue (get a clue). It''''s the SOURCE of the funds.
Here''''s a fact for you - 2006 election: aprox. 93% of Kerry''''s donations came from 23 people.
Another fact: Wall Street gives FIVE TIMES more money to the Dems than to the Repubs.
The Dems are the party of the rich elitists. No question about that.
The Dems are

Posted by ritewingman

I suggest you go to the link below and compare the source of the funds for McCain and Obama. Obama obtained 96% of his money from individual contributors while McCain can only claim 81%. That sure doesn''t sound like "reform" to me.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.php

[libertarian5]

Obama''''s Wealth:
Under Clinton? He couldn''''t afford taxi fare back from the 2000 convention.
Under Bush? Has made millions.

And he says with a straight face that "Bush''''s economic policies haven''''t helped the little guy."
Well they sure helped him make his millions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ritewingman


Obama earned it. He didn''t choose to goldig a rich wife like McCain did.

[omega40]

Not too worried about his connections though - American are learning more and more about him (despite the liberal MSM covering for him) and when real Americans discover what he really stands for, that guy is only going to get into the WH by being part of a tour group.

Posted by ritewingman a

You conservatives have been shouting your innuendo and conspiracy theories towards heaven for the last 9 months. I find it unlikely that anyone remains that hasn''t heard and either believes the accusations or rejects them as more fear mongering.

[omega40]

omega - your stats are worthless.
It doesn''''t say anything about his source of funds. Of those 96% of "individual contributors" 94% could be elitists in Hollywood and Wall street while only 2% from the rest (and I wouldn''''t be surprised if that was about the right break-down).

Posted by ritewingman

Those stats are taken right from the FEC. Also, you will notice that Obama has more disclosure on where his money is coming from.

[erb0087]

"McCain groused about Obama mixing it up with celebrities."

John McCain dumped his handicapped wife to marry a much younger woman who was set to inherit $100 million.

Yeah, he''s a real man of the people.

[erb0087]

Obama got into Harvard on a free pass (affirmative action)
-----------------------------

He graduated magna c*um laude (top 1/5) from Harvard Law, the toughest law school on the planet.

McCain got into Annapolis because his father and grandfather were admirals -- and he finished 894/899.

His supporters have no room to talk on this issuue.

[wadepoli122]

Why does the Obama compaign not seized on the fact that his campaign has not taken a single dime from taxpayer, while half of McCain money are subsidize by the tax payer. Who is really for changes, not McCain. Who is on the look out for the tax payer, not McCain, its Obama.

[erb0087]

It''s up to those who put forward "innuendos and conspiracies", to prove them.

Ronald Reagan didn''t have to "refute" all the allegations in Kitty Kelley''s book, did he ?

Because he didn''t.

[omega40]

omega - funny how the libs never get around to actually refuting those "innuendos and conspiracies". They just try and shout you down and hope that no one pays attention to the actual facts.

Posted by ritewingman

We figure why bother, they will be exposed as lies down the road anyway. Remember in 2000 McCain had a mental illness and a black baby and now you are running him.

[questionnews]

I wonder how all the Hollywood types could fit this event into thier daily schedule of attending drug rehab, s.ex addiction counseling, detox center treatment, drunk driving hearings, Alcoholics Anonymous classes, anger management classes & divorce court.
They must of had a little bag of white powder to get them through the day.

[mandalay-bay]

All those celebrities and they could only give 9 million?

Cheap ***

[nvorr]

You know people by their friends:

Pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the guy.
Posted by ritewingman
------------------

You''re right. You know people by their friends:
- John Hagee, called the Roman Catholic Church %u201Cthe great ***.%u201D
- McCain sent birthday regards, and regrets for not attending, to Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonano, the head of the New York Bonano crime family, who had retired to Arizona
- Rod Parsley, referred to Islam as a %u201Cfalse religion%u201D that America was called on to destroy.
- McCain for receiving donations from and possibly running interference for Charles Keating.
- The following celebs attended McCain''s fundraiser:
Dean Cain
James Caan
Jon Voight
Robert Davi
Lou Ferrigno
Adam Carolla
Lacy Chabert
Angie Harmon
Victoria Jackson
Gerald McRaney
Jon Cryer
Lorenzo Lamas
Kevin Sorbo
Patricia Heaton
George Newbern
Robert Duvall
Jerry Bruckheimer

[nvorr]

Interesting friend that Charles Black:

As a top adviser to John McCain, Mr. Black commented in a June 2008 interview with Fortune magazine that another terrorist attack inside the U.S. would "be a big advantage" to McCain in the November presidential election.

Should we stand by?

[freemanswish]

Maybe Obama will name George Clooney as Secretary of

Defense and Snoop Dog to replace General Prateous?

Matt Daimon to replace Condoleanzza Rice,

and Britney Spears as Nanny?

[screan_name]

Maybe Obama will name George Clooney as Secretary of

Defense and Snoop Dog to replace General Prateous?

Matt Daimon to replace Condoleanzza Rice,

and Britney Spears as Nanny?


Posted by freemanswish at 11:39 AM : Sep 17, 2008




McCain asked Britney Spears to be his VP first but changed his mind cause Palin had more moose control and beauty pageant experience.


What is your stand on moose control?

[nvorr]

You are silly... and I am being nice here... McCain has allowed his campaign to be run by seven (7) former lobbyist. The very people he claims he wants out of Washington but not out of his campaign team!!! Educate yourself and learn FACTS before you vote!!!

Posted by Mel130ny at 11:43 AM : Sep 17, 2008

---------------

Actually, according to the government watchdog group "Public Citizen" ,at the start of the year, McCain had 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign --- more than any of the other presidential candidates.

[screan_name]

Posted by Screan_name at 11:44 AM : Sep 17, 2008
----------------
Good Morning!!!!

Posted by Mel130ny at 11:44 AM : Sep 17, 2008


Likewise! It''s a great day to be an American!

[freemanswish]

Obama spouse mentality

"For the first time im proud to be an American"


What nationality was the Democrat before that? Vote Change?

[nvorr]

Obama spouse mentality

"For the first time im proud to be an American"


What nationality was the Democrat before that? Vote Change?

Posted by freemanswish at 11:54 AM : Sep 17, 2008
-----------------------------

McCain mentality: I didn''t start to love America until I was a POW.

[nvorr]

Here''s another interesting tidbit:

"On May 15, McCain announced that campaign staffers "will be thoroughly, more thoroughly, vetted, and we''ll make sure that that is the case," and campaign manager Rick Davis announced a new "Conflict Policy":

"1.) No person working for the Campaign may be a registered lobbyist or foreign agent, or receive compensation for any such activity."

Yeah, right!

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/05/obama-hammers-m.html

[nvorr]

But wait, there''s more:

"3.) No person with a McCain Campaign title or position may participate in a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate.

"4.) No vendor to the McCain Campaign may also be a vendor to a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate without a pre-approved firewall pursuant to FEC regulations.

One day after this memo (May 16th), it was reported that Craig Shirley, on McCain''s Virginia Leadership Team, had in fact worked on an anti-Hillary Clinton 527, in direct violation of Conflict Policy rule No. 3.