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.

[dvsc2008]

I have only question, why is the red cross broke while Obama is pandering for money from hollywood when real americans have been so devastated by hurricane ike?

Obama first, country second.

Obama is from the Land of Lincoln, but from the Church of Wright.

[dburfears]

The Press just can''t let McCain''s false "elitism" claim go. I mean- the people who support McCain are Rich and Powerful ELITES. Give me an f''ig break.

So here we go. A big article about Obama''s fundraiser that is perfect for "Entertainment Tonight" but irrelevant to the critical issues like the economy.

And the bias is transparent. Where is the Equal coverage of the PALIN and McCAIN fundraisers with their rich fat-cat supporters? They happened within 24 HOURS of Obama''s fundraiser. McCain got TWICE the amount per person than did Obama!

$1 million Sarah.

Tuesday 9/16./08 Sarah Palin held her first solo fund-raiser for the Republican Party last night at an exclusive Country Club in Canton, Ohio,. She was hosted and introduced by W.J. Timken Jr., chairman of the bearing-manufacturer Timken Co. W.J. Timken Jr. told the crowd of more than 100 corporate executives%u2014 eating crab claws and potato-wrapped shrimp %u2014 that he expected their efforts would raise nearly a million dollars for the McCain-Palin campaign.

$50,000 a plate McCain

Senator McCain raised an impressive 5.1 MILLION dollars at his own fundraising dinner late Monday 9/15/08 in Florida, the Republican''s campaign said. Supporters paid 50,000 dollars a ticket to attend the buffet dinner in Miami''s InterContinental hotel.

[dburfears]

Lobbyists Are Running The McCain Campaign

All of the TOP PEOPLE in the McCain campaign are lobbyists for large corporations, including Big Oil, and FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Campaign CEO - Rick Davis, Partner at lobbying firm Davis Manafort

National Campaign Director- Christian Ferry, Associate at lobbying firm Davis Manafort

National Political Director- Mike Dennehy, Founder, The Dennehy Group, a New Hampshire lobbying firm

National Finance Director- Susan Nelson - lobbyist working for Loeffler Group LLC. Continued taking monthly lobbying payments after starting with McCain''s campaign.

Senior Policy Advisor- David Crane. Senior Executive at The Washington Group, a corporate lobbying firm with 2006 billings of $10.4 million.

Senior Foreign Policy Adviser - Randy Scheunemann. McCain''s PRIMARY Foreign Policy Adviser. A lobbyist for FOREIGN COUNTRIES, including Georgia (that was just in a war with Russia). OOPS.

National Finance Co-Chair - Tom Loeffler Owns one of the most lucrative and influential lobbying firms in Washington.

Regional Campaign Manager- Doug Davenport ran DCI''s lobbying practice. Was forced to leave when it was exposed that he LOBBIED FOR the REPRESSIVE REGIME IN BURMA.

Campaign Spokesman- Charlie Black - chairman of BKSH & Associates, with lobbying billings of $7.6 million in 2006

Phil "Americans are whiners" Gram - created this economic crisis.



Barack Obama has no lobbyists on the payroll or serving as key advisers.

[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 close to $100 million of tax payers money is wasted on Lies, Deception and Selfish ambition. McCain is not for Country First, he is for McCain first. Who is really for changes, not McCain. In regard to ear mark that funds go to schools, hospitals and special social projects. What is wrong with that. Who is on the look out for the tax payer, not McCain, its Obama. The Republican use everything they have against Obama, yet I have no idea why Obama does not use this against the Rebublican. Maybe its a trump card to be used later, but I highly suggest Obama make this known to people as many do not know this.

[aceshigh333-2009]

I am trying to find out who the other "Secret Advisors" are to Obama

Look at the failed Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and who ran them.

Hillary and her supporters unfortunatly got shafted by the "Good O''Boy''s". Obama couldn''t take sharing his ticket with a strong woman. Shovenist abound in the Dem party.....

[praiseallah1]

Arianna Huffington must be pissing her Socialist Liberal Elitist granny panties when it was reported that Hillary Clintons leading supporter Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Katie couric, and millions of other women are now planning to vote for McCain/Palin!

But why is the liberal media still saying that women who supported Hillary won''t go for Palin? I am a Hillraiser woman and I am voting for McCain/Palin and millions more women will shift their vote too! Every woman I know is supporting for McCain even women, who like myself, have been Democrates all of our lives. Obama sucks and why is Michelle Obama HIDING? Barak probably told her to stay home with the kids like a woman should be doing. Obama is such a sexist pig! Why doesn''t Barak send his own brother who lives on $1 a month a little more money? Obviously he has no family values.

I heard that Obama refuses to release a list of his campaign advisors to the media even though he tries to attack McCain about having lobbyists for his camoaign managers. I found out that one of Obamas secret campaign advisors is none other than George Soros the Socialist market manipulator. I am trying to find out who the other "Secret Advisors" are to Obama

[aceshigh333-2009]

$1 million Sarah

$50,000 a plate McCain

Obama-dinner costing $28,500 each.Entertainment, which cost $2,500 a ticket.

Looks like Obama is going on sale, marked-down, discount. Supporters worried, not wanting to pay big money. Barbra as entertainment??? weak.

[dj292009]

McLiar,

WE are both on the same side.


I am an Obama Supporter

[dburfears]

$1 million Sarah.

Tuesday 9/16./08 Sarah Palin held her first solo fund-raiser for the Republican Party last night at an exclusive Country Club in Canton, Ohio,. She was hosted and introduced by W.J. Timken Jr., chairman of the bearing-manufacturer Timken Co. W.J. Timken Jr. told the crowd of more than 100 corporate executives%u2014 eating crab claws and potato-wrapped shrimp %u2014 that he expected their efforts would raise nearly a million dollars for the McCain-Palin campaign.

$50,000 a plate McCain

Senator McCain raised an impressive 5.1 MILLION dollars at his own fundraising dinner late Monday 9/15/08 in Florida, the Republican''s campaign said. Supporters paid 50,000 dollars a ticket to attend the buffet dinner in Miami''s InterContinental hotel,

[plplearecrzy]

You are so far from right...and the truth hurts doesn''''''''t it

If I''''m wrong.. make your point? I am kinda sure you aren''''t Graham.........so???? I am not hurting..haven''''t seen the truth yet.


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

Posted by rinnie5 at 01:21 PM : Sep 17, 2008
+ report abuse

I''m proud to say I''m a woman, who believes in a "woman''s right to choose", think''s the Iraq war is a complete waste of money, I''m educated, well-read and employed. I don''t need a man to tell me how to vote but I can see bull-*** a mile away. I also recognize mistakes when I see them. Attending an elitist Hollywood fundraiser two days after the stock market drops out is a terrible mistake, not matter what party you represent...enough said!

[questionnews]

Bush & McCain are both puppets for the same crooked crew behind the scenes. The Bush Legacy is running again and it hasn''''t changed a bit.

If you think this is nothing but a liberal talking point, feel free to present contrary evidence.

Posted by Mcliar at 03:14 PM : Sep 17, 2008

You may have your wires crossed. dj292009 seems to be supporting Obama. I could be wrong.

[questionnews]

Now they are making fun of the disabled.

Now they really show their true side.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Posted by dj292009 at 02:48 PM : Sep 17, 2008

They? I''m not a they. I know it makes things easy for you to profile, label & lump people into categories, but that is the height of intellectual laziness. I''m making fun of someone who posts the same thing over & over. If you have Dementia & I offended you with the post, my apologies. (But that would explain your posts though.)

[lewiston14]

How about "none of the above 08"

[nvorr]

Posted by smart4peace at 02:45 PM : Sep 17, 2008
------------

Well said!

[dj292009]

Now they are making fun of the disabled.

Now they really show their true side.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

[lewiston14]

creamed beef, creamed corn

Dont they call that SOS
Except I think they use peas

LOL

[lewiston14]

LOL freeanswers the voice was only an extra $2500. Gives you just enough time to puke up the 28 grand dinner. Maybe they had spaghetti they would be cleaning the curtains for months

[questionnews]

Ms Tracy,

I think we have read your thoughts. Can you flip the record over or at least get a life ?

Posted by freeanswers at 02:20 PM : Sep 17, 2008

It''s called Dementia. He doesn''t even realized he''s doing it. But, when you are strapped into a wheelchair at a hospice center and the staff sticks a pencil in your mouth so you can play on the computer, cut & paste saves you alot of time. Although, during tonights meal of creamed beef, creamed corn & mashed potatoes, he can tell the other patients that he was a tiger on the CBS blog today.

[dj292009]

You go ahead and vote for disaster. 8 years of Bush is enough. Don''''''''t need 4 more

Posted by dj292009 at 02:36 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Pssst !!

Bush cannot run again.

Old tired Liberal talking points.

Clearly you have no ammo, so I will go elswhere.


Oh I have plenty of real debatable issues:

You wanna debate with me the REAL ISSUES?

[dj292009]

Just like a republican, they run and hide when the water starts to get hot. No wonder we are in so much turmoil.

Lord please fogive them for they know not what they do