Make HuffPost Your HomePage
Get Email Alerts
Hollywood Turns Out For Obama Fundraiser
LOS ANGELES — Barack Obama raised nearly $5 million Tuesday at a celebrity-packed fundraiser that was the equivalent of the entertainment industry's coming-out party for the likely Democratic presidential nominee.
"He's my candidate, and I think you have to put your money where your mouth is," said actor Don Cheadle. Actor Dennis Quaid said Obama is "the Superman for everyone."
Obama's campaign refused to say how many millions he and the Democratic National Committee raised at the gala, but Democratic officials put the number at close to $5 million. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the numbers publicly.
Campaign officials severely limited media access to the event at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. No television cameras or photographers were allowed inside.
Obama, who is counting on Hollywood's reliable support for Democrats, appealed to the those in the crowd who might have supported his former foe, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The long primary, he said, "I know caused some heartburn and some frustration." He said he and Clinton "were allies then and we're allies now."
The guest list for the exclusive event, where top tickets cost more than $30,000, also included actor Jennifer Beals and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. Also seen was Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, who created two music videos for Obama during the primary season _ including one called "Yes We Can" that set music to clips from his speeches and became an Internet sensation. Singer Seal performed two songs.
"At last, someone has come along that is restoring my faith," Seal said.
Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee will share the money that was raised.
Shattering records, Obama raised more than $287 million through the end of May. Last week, he reversed an earlier promise and said he would not take public financing for the general election. The move lifts the cap on what he can spend and allows him to pour hundreds of millions more into his campaign against Republican John McCain. McCain has said he would accept public financing and has criticized Obama's decision.
The asking price for a ticket to the gala's general reception was $2,300. Tickets to a VIP dinner were $28,500. The DNC was to get the $28,500 donations and Obama was to collect the proceeds from the lower-priced tickets.
McCain and the Republican National Committee raised $7 million at a similar joint fundraiser in New York last month that was hosted by New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
The list of famous donors who already have given to Obama includes George Clooney, Paul Newman, Matt Damon, Larry David, Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey.
The Center for Responsive Politics, analyzing fundraising data released May 21, said Obama had collected more than $4 million from the movie, TV and music businesses. Clinton raised $3.4 million from those groups, and McCain collected $636,000.
McCain's boldface backers include producer Jerry Bruckheimer and "Saturday Night Live" executive producer Lorne Michaels.
The entertainment industry gave $33.1 million to federal candidates in 2004, about 70 percent of it going to Democrats, the center said.
Along with the big names he attracts in Hollywood, Obama wants to win over the Los Angeles donors who supported Clinton in the primaries. In turn, he told his finance team Tuesday afternoon to help Clinton pay off her $22 million campaign debt if they are able.
___
Associated Press writers Nedra Pickler and Jim Kuhnhenn in Washington contributed to this report.
Loading comments…
SARA KUGLER | June 24, 2008 11:38 PM EST |
Compare other versions »Compare and versions