My Dinner with Barack

Day One of Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee, and we were fortunate enough to have had dinner with him last evening. Fresh from his victory speech in St. Paul and a day in Washington, D.C., at the Senate and at AIPAC, the Senator arrived at the fund-raiser in a private Manhattan home to greet and dine and thank and schmooze with a hundred supporters who contributed a lot of money to have dinner with him.

Background: Last May 3, 2007, we hosted our own fund-raiser for him in our apartment as the campaign was still in its embryonic stages. It was the first day of Secret Service protection, and that consisted of a solitary agent (the security contingent is a lot larger now). The candidate then was energetic, engaged, and chatted up each of our fifty guests. And as I blogged at the time, the difference I noticed immediately between him and Bill Clinton, whom I had met once, was that in conversation, Clinton lectured; Obama listened.

He's a phenomenon: Obama has been campaigning nonstop since then, every day, up to 18 hours per day, God knows how many states, cities, burgs, railroad crossings, shopping centers, bowling alleys and doughnut shops. Yet tonight he arrived fresh, involved, enthusiastic -- and mesmerizing. After brief introductory remarks, he circulated around the room, speaking with each attendee, recognizing most of them, and giving new meaning to gracious.

What wasn't said: Who his VP choice is, who his cabinet appointments will be, and whom he'll put on the Supreme Court. (Surprise!)

Who was in the audience: You know -- the usual suspects. Not exactly the demographic of Kentucky or West Virginia, rather his long-time supporters, a few new recruits, and a lot of the faithful. But what took me aback was the presence of at least two hitherto - until yesterday -- strong supporters of Hillary Clinton, and at least one with the (perhaps dashed) hopes of scoring a top cabinet post in a Clinton administration. This attendee's presence signifies either that the rapprochement has begun, or that opportunism is alive and well and living in politics. (Surprise, surprise!)

VP discussion: In a highly unscientific poll that I conducted of a smattering of the guests, the support for Hillary as the running mate was zero. (Surprise, surprise, surprise!)

What it proved: There is a big pool of money out there available for Obama that extends well beyond the Internet machine that has proved so successful in his campaign. And unlike the primary cycle, where there was a $2,300 limit per person, the creative minds of the political world have found ingenious ways to multiply that upper limit more than ten-fold for the general election. So fund-raising dinners that once netted six-figure amounts have moved into seven-figure territory.

What we came away with: That we were witnessing history. That we were in the presence of a person who can unify the country, both politically and racially. Someone who can return us to the family of nations. And someone who can once again make us feel proud to call ourselves Americans. That is why we attended the event where the bill for dinner was, shall we say, high, even by Manhattan restaurant standards.

Comments

[4wehttam]

I can't give much, but whatever I can afford I will continue doing so every single month until he is elected president. I've never been so excited to GIVE my money away........lol.

[onelovecandy]

Very nice account Mr. Rosen..now spill the beans..how much was raised...come on ..we can keep a secret..honest :)

[Yansher]

This is good news for Barack. LOL.

[Gma11]

Bill Clinton lectured; Barack Obama listened.

There's a lot there to ponder on . . .

[Terriac]

Thank you for a great post. I, too, am excited beyond anything I've ever felt during a presidential campaign. I am a 53-year-old white woman, and this is the first time in my life -- unless you count Robert Kennedy, but I was too young to vote then -- that I have felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has been handed to this country in the form of Barack Obama. I am so thrilled to be a witness to this, and hope the country has the wisdom to take full advantage of this chance. I can't wait for his inaugural speech!

[peggio]

As a member of the non demographic Kentucky for Obama people I thank you for your post. I thank you all for the big contributions and let me reassure that even those of us who have contributed on line and walked door to door to canvas have been treated the exact same way. I too believe we have the candidate of my lifetime! So, have more dinners,more concerts more, more and more. I may not be here long enough to see all the good brought about by a Barack Obama presidency but those I love will.

[kalimuzo]

Nice post Mr. Rosen, thank you for that insight, is it possible that this could be the first candidate to raise a billion dollars. We are at 265 so far, it is not that far off is it.

[Grace2008]

Lovely post. Thank you!!!

[lynnn]

I also hope some of these big donors will give to the Obama fellows. People should start a group to do that. Just enough money for food or gas if need be.

[Gma11]

I certainly agaree, lynnn.

[marymansour]

Thank you, Mr. Rosen, for a remarkable look at a remarkable man. Barack Obama continues to amaze me with his charisma, technically perfect campaign and total charm. I just wish I could be one to enjoy an evening in the company of the man, whom if elected, could easily change the world.

[lynnn]

Amen!

[Pocho]

The only way to return the US to the "family of nations" would be to get all of its military out of all of the others by its choice or otherwise, and dismantle its facilities to put them back. That "family of nations" has had it with rampaging Americans and they are no longer welcome in its house.

[fairwitness]

Extremely good point, Pocho. If we continue to occupy over 1000 (known and secret) foreign military bases, to that extent we will be considered by most to be a threat and a bully and will be subject to resentment and overt, violent challenge continously. Not to mention that we are, in truth, a miltarist, violence-worshipping culture which will always and increasingly suffer the "blowback" of our hubris.

Obama offers the only (albeit slight) hope that we may be led to outgrow our adolescence and become an adult, rational, benificent (or at least benign) player in the world society. Our parochial "American Exceptualism" is myopic and blindly destructive. Obama seems to offer the promise of new and brighter chapter following the Bush Dark Ages.

Let us pray he is up to the daunting challenges ahead--I suspect, I hope-beyond-hope that he is.