Barbra Streisand Takes Center Stage At Obama's Hollywood Bash

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — 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 Katzenbach.

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 Republican challenger John 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."

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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.

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On the Net:

Obama: http://www.barackobama.com

McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com

Comments

[respectingothers]

Never ceases to amaze me how the very people who pay $$$ to watch Hollywood's products turn around and complain about how rich movie stars are. Who the H--- do you think is making them rich?? you!! if you watch their movies or listen to their music!

[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.

[jk99]

who do you think was at McCain's FLA Fundraiser? Maybe Harry Sargeant III?

You know Harry, his firm, International Oil Trading Co., drew headlines in May when it was revealed that IOTC was likely gouging the Pentagon in a contract worth up to $1 billion to ship aviation fuel to U.S. based in Iraq, the company's third Iraq contract.

McCain sure knows how to take care of his buddies, er, fundraisers.

[jk99]

who do you think was at McCain's Florida Fundraiser? Maybe Harry Sargeant III?

Sargeant's firm, International Oil Trading Co., drew headlines in May when it was revealed that IOTC was likely gouging the Pentagon in a contract worth up to $1 billion to ship aviation fuel to U.S. based in Iraq, the company's third Iraq contract.

McCain watches the backs of his cronies, er, fundraisers.

[demdan07]

Who really cares who a bunch of out of touch Hollywood types is backing? They have no idea concerning the problems the average person faces. They make millions for a few weeks work on a movie and then get handed free everything by companies that want to be associated with them. I will make up my own mind and I pity anyone who is swayed by a bunch of elitist Hollywood snobs.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Babs getting quite porkie....­..........­..........­....I still love those lips

[asterdarius]

I was there.

Small business owner
make under 50k a year.

Middle class to the 'T'

I don't really like being mocked by McCain.
btw alot of people there were middle class.

[Deutschlandguy]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I can't afford that much, but I send Obama whatever I can.

I hope you had a great evening. You deserve to feel proud.

[GretaR]

You spent more than 1/2 of your annual income on a dinner?

[berrycooda]

Oh Hooray for her and the horse she rode in on.....

Sounds like the 60's when the Kennedy's were surrounded by movie stars.

"Rock" Obama seems to be doing very well .
Maybe if he doesn't get elected, he can become a movie star.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

I he don`t get elected we`re all F_U_C_K_E_D

[PNOGUY]

Wait...you mean Streisand's still here? I thought she promised to leave the country if Bush got re-elected? I guess she's too in love with her money and possessions to stick to her conscience.

And remember when Obama promised about how he would fund his campaign?

[TROJANHORSE23]

I CONTINUE TO FIND IT AMAZING HOW THESE GROUPS OF HIGH ROLLERS THROW THEIR MONEY AT THE DEMO'S . MOST LIVE IN SUCH A WONDERLAND, WHILE ONLY WANTING TO "BE SCENE". WHAT A GROUP OF CLOWNS. THEY ALL SEEMS TO HAVE LARGE NOSES THAT THEY CAN LOOK DOWN TO THE "COMMONERS" WITH!!!!!!!!

[IncredulousGeezer]

Someone ought to throw a few $$$$s at you to buy a puter with a functioning caps key. Pity that fixing your brain would be more complicated.

What's with the "LARGE NOSES" comment? Some coding going on here, maybe?

[rzan1]

You must have low self esteem. I don't think these people are looking down on anyone. They are just supporting a very brilliant candidate. And they have lots of money to contribute to his campaign. Do you think McCain is not taking contributions from very wealthy contributors?

[Warmglobe]

Brilliant?...I won't touch that one....these Hollywood types are all for programs that cost us millions because they are out of touch with reality and can afford them. They are also great followers of the liberal credo "Do as I say, not as I do"

[Martee]

The different is night and day. When Repub-lie-cans make it -- they horde. When Democrats make it -- they give back -- with an honest desire to build American up instead of grabbing all they can get for themselves.

[PNOGUY]

They give back? What a laugh. The Dems at this party are giving back, all right...to EACH OTHER! Just take a look at how much Obama and Biden have given to charity over the past decade and eat your words. They only want to "give back" with other people's money.

[AnnieinOR]

YA mean like these guys who all had a HOLLYWOOD fundraiser for the SNL, Letterman, Leno and Wedding Crashers Celeb Johnny Mac?

Stephen Baldwin
Pat Boone
Wilford Brimley
Dean Cain
Jon Cryer
Robert Duvall
Angie Harmon
Patricia Heaton
Lorenzo Lamas
Craig T. Nelson
Gail O'Grady
Jason Sehorn
Gary Sinise
Jon Voight

AHHH... hypocrite!

[ignorantwillyharper]

I would have attended myself, but I was caught a little short.

[respectingothers]

with all the hate being spewed towards the Obama's I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they are both getting alot of death threats. remember what happened to the kennedy's when they tried to give our country back to the people. It's amazing that anyone still has the courage to stand up for "the working people" in this country anymore.

I look forward to the day that our country can engage in civil discourse and truly encourage the kind of country our founding fathers dreamed of. If you haven't seen it i recommend watching Bill Moyers Journal on Civil Discourse on PBS.

One of JFK's greatest traits was that he always wanted to hear different opinions. It disrespects all of us when people spew vile hateful rhetoric and are elevated to a position where those words are sent out over airwaves. just because people like Glen Beck do it constantly... do we need to copy and emulate him? I try to surround myself with people who are respectful and authentic and shun those who try to incite violence and hate.

let's all make an effort to keep the debate real and on the issues. after all this is Real Life with Real consequences not some ridiculous reality show.

[Martee]

There will always be crazies out there. But O has been remarkably able to keep calm and on message.

[goredstates]

These Holywood types are your idea of authentic people. They beg for attention and importance with the change of each administration.They are just bitter, they cling to botox or scientology or antithapy for people who aren't like them, or antiworking class sentiment or antipatriotic sentement as a way to explaine their frustration.

[2please]

I'm donating a billion dollars next week to Obama. Anyone want to match my billion so he has enough to win?

[Martee]

Sorry! Already reached my limit!

[ralph10]

Wait. These people are entertainers. They should not have the right to exist.

[elan4444]

Where is Michelle Obama? She hasn't been sseen since before 9/11, did not attend the ceremony.

[Senella]

She's probably getting the girls settled in for the new school year.

[Lotus19]

I've been wondering about this myself. I figured she didn't want to get anywhere near McCain after all his smears against Obama last week. Also, her name has come up as being part of the so-called "October "Surprise". I don't know how credible the claims are, and I don't want to get into specifics about I've read but it I am a little concerned about that.

[rzan1]

I had an E-mail from Michelle just a few days ago, encouraging women in Washington State to get involved in the campaign.

[NTO08]

Funny you should point that out...I noted that also...she should have been there.

[Martee]

She's got kids in school and a job. Can you image what the Repub-lie-cans would say if a mother left her children and her responsibiities to go on the campaign trail? (Oh, wait a minute . . . )