WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama showered praise on celebrity supporters Aaron Sorkin and Anne Hathaway at a high-profile fundraiser Monday hosted by movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
The fundraiser, at Westport, Conn., home of Weinstein and his wife, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, featured numerous Hollywood celebrities. But Obama singled out Sorkin and 29-year-old Hathaway, who was seated at the table closest to him.
From the White House pool report:
Mr. Obama then took the microphone, praising some of his celebrity guests. He said of Ms. Hathaway, 'She's spectacular. I got a chance to see "Batman," and she was the best thing in it. That's just my personal opinion.' She beamed and laughed.
Of Mr. Sorkin, the president said he 'writes the way every Democrat in Washington wished they spoke.'
In his speech, the president reminded his guests of the impact they could have on this year's election. "We've spent three and a half years trying to make sure this country gets back on its feet," Obama said. "We have a lot of work to do, and we're not done. These gains are reversible. On a whole host of issues, you guys are the tiebreakers."
Other celebrities at the $35,000-per-person dinner included Anna Wintour, Joanne Woodward and Jerry Springer. Weinstein has been an ardent supporter of the president and has donated over $75,000 to Democratic campaigns this cycle, including a $35,800 check to Obama's reelection campaign.
Weinstein reiterated his admiration for the president in introducing Obama. ”Leading with your heart is the utmost for this president. Fighting for Planned Parenthood and protecting women’s rights, this president has fought the good fight,” Weinstein said. “You can make the case that he’s the Paul Newman of American presidents.”
High-ticket donors such as Weinstein will be crucial to Obama's campaign, which announced Monday a July fundraising total of $75 million together with the Democratic National Committee. The number marked the third straight month that Obama and the DNC have trailed Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee, which brought in a staggering $101.3 million in July.