http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/21-02-2007/87650-obama-0
02/21/2007 17:49
Obama and other 2008 candidates flock to California
Jennifer Aniston, Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy were just some of
Hollywood's hottest celebrities who forked over campaign dollars at a
fundraiser for Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama.
Obama and other 2008 candidates flock to California
Presidential candidates have long been attracted to California by the
prospect of high dollars and the opportunity to bask in Hollywood glamor. Now
there is also another lure for 2008 candidates like Obama the prospect the
state may move up its primary, creating a treasure trove of delegates to be won
in the early run-up to the nominations.
The star-studded, $1.3 million (EUR990,000) fundraiser for the Illinois
senator on Tuesday was just the latest California stopover from top-tier
presidential contenders from both parties. Arizona Sen. John McCain was
scheduled to be in the Los Angeles area with California Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger on Wednesday, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was in the
state earlier this month.
Lawmakers and Schwarzenegger are poised to move the state's primary to
Feb. 5 from June. In the primary, voters elect delegates pledged to
presidential candidates who will choose their party's nominee at a national
convention.
The level of presidential activity in the state is unusually intense,
with roughly a year to go before votes are cast.
Obama banked checks from stars such as George Clooney and Barbra
Streisand at a private fundraiser after earlier urging an audience of thousands
at an outdoor rally in Los Angeles to help him transform America.
Appearing to speak to critics who suggest he doesn't have the experience
to lead the nation, Obama said, "I've been in Washington long enough to know it
needs to change."
He promised to take on issues from health care to education, while
changing America's course in an unpopular Iraq war.
"I can't do it without you," Obama, tieless and in shirt sleeves,
exhorted the audience as supporters enthusiastically waved blue "Obama '08"
signs.
The Beverly Hills fundraiser, arranged by three of the entertainment
industry's biggest names DreamWorks studio founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey
Katzenberg and David Geffen was a reminder that there would be fierce
competition among candidates for Hollywood dollars. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
of New York and husband Bill Clinton have long-standing ties to the
entertainment industry
The entertainment industry is a perennial source of cash for Democrats,
with big names often donating to multiple campaigns while withholding formal
endorsements until later.
Spielberg, for example, was a host of the Obama event but has not made an
endorsement. Katzenberg and Geffen are backing Obama.
Clinton is counting on a Hollywood windfall next month, when a major
fundraiser is scheduled at the home of supermarket tycoon Ronald Burkle, a
longtime friend and fundraiser for her husband.
The day took Obama to widely contrasting places, although they were just
miles (kilometers) apart. At the outdoor rally he talked at length of the
struggles of common Americans, then later addressed a crowd of celebrities at
the $2,300 (EUR1,750)-a-ticket fundraiser where guests nibbled on shrimp
dumplings and crab cakes, reports AP.
At the park, where admission was free, William Gude of Long Beach said
Obama's appeal came from his opposition to the Iraq war and that he was not yet
a Washington insider.
"The people with the most experience are the people who got us into this
mess. Along with everybody else, I'm ready for a change," the 32-year-old
personal trainer said.
"I can't take another Bush or Clinton," he added.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/hOt0.A/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/uTGrlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
