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At Obama Event, Celebs Reach for Checkbooks
Despite the celeb outpouring during the campaign, his famous supporters have had no face time with Obama since the Inauguration.
President Obama at the Democratic Party fundraiser in Beverly Hills Wednesday night. ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Barack Obama's appearance in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night brought out the stars...and their checkbooks.
The event at the Beverly Hilton was expected to raise $3 million to $4 million and was like a giant Hollywood premiere, with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Jamie Foxx and Tyler Perry on hand, as well as Jennifer Hudson and Earth, Wind and Fire.
About 1,000 people attended, with tickets running $1,000 to $2,500 each. In addition, 125 couples paid around $30,000 each for a dinner and a photo with Obama.
The Preseident's L.A. visit came after an appearance in Las Vegas Tuesday night at a Caesar’s Palace fundraiser that brought in $2 million for incumbent Harry Reid. That event saw the President share billing with Bette Midler and Sheryl Crow.
The Hollywood company may have been glamorous, but the allures of Sin City and pulling the one-armed bandit for the Senate Majority Leader must seem like a welcoming memory to Obama.
After all, this was the President’s first fundraising appearance in front of the Hollywood community since taking office. And, in a time of an ailing economy, bailouts and mergers, Hollywood -- which has been a constant source of public and financial support for Obama and the Democrats -- must have been looking at the head table and asking the Celebrity-in-Chief, to quote that old Janet Jackson song, “What have you done for me lately?”
While aware of the criticism, it is not a question John Emerson, who along with Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen -- the latter an early Obama supporter when most of the town was lining up behind Hillary for the Democratic nomination -- is one of the organizers of the fundraiser, gives much credence to. Even though he is acutely aware of the blowback both his former boss, 2004 nominee John Kerry, and other Democrats have got for being seen as too close to Hollywood.
“I think that for promoting a message, whether in a campaign context or sometimes in a governing context, it may be appropriate to have Hollywood closely involved,” said the former assistant to Bill Clinton, Music Center CEO and Capital Guardian Trust VP who has become both a local fixture and a fixer for Democratic Party politics here in L.A. “Right now, the focus of the administration is on trying to solve the problems that we’re facing.”
Most noticeably, the President has been accused of snubbing the entertainment industry that did so much to help him get elected in 2008 on his first post-inaugural visit to L.A. in March. In town for two days mid-month Obama’s only public brush with Hollywood, besides sharing the stage at an event with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on March 13.
The first late-night TV visit by a sitting President was overshadowed, as was much of the policy heavy trip, by an ill conceived aside from Obama about his abilities on the basketball court and the Special Olympics.
It’s certainly not like back in the Clinton days when Barbra Streisand, Spielberg and Geffen, among others, all dropped big contribution bucks to sleep over in the White House and grunge rockers like Soul Asylum got a picture in the Oval Office with the President.
It’s not like the Reagan years when Frank Sinatra, the then-President’s former agent Lew Wasserman, Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart all dropped by to see their old friends Ron and Nancy.
Sure, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel -- who TV’s “The West Wing’s” character of Josh Lyman was partially based on -- is the brother of Ari Emanuel, founder of the Endeavor Agency and the basis for the profane Ari Gold on HBO’s “Entourage.” But not many Hollywood outsiders are aware of the connection – this administration doesn’t seem to like being associated with Hollywood people, at least not publicly.
Despite the widespread use of stars and celebrities during the campaign and D.C.
Comments
MartiniShark Says
I love the ironic undercurrent to this piece. Forever we have heard about the demonic relationship of special interests who curry favor in D.C. and the politicians with whom they purchase influence. Most of this article centered on how Hollywood stars have not had proper attention from the President after donating millions.
Sounds like the same thing to me.
I'm also curious how California and the White House will reconcile going broke while Hollywood continues to have a terrific year at the box office. Will they rely on the tired tactic of raising taxes on the rich (i.e., the Studios) while more jobs are fleeing to Canada because of already high tax rates in L.A.? Obama's friends may have something to say about that when it becomes their wallets in the cross-hairs. See, they are benevolent millionaires, unlike those evil corporations that make "too much" money.
sam Says
When a president's view of America comes from his education in indonesia, and Harvard, his life experience comes from the city of Chicago, then here we are. He Knows not, and his followers marvel at the emperor's new clothes.
We are in huge trouble America! This country is no longer business-freindly, and has been going that way under the socialist policies of the Democrats for years. I could expand and employ a few drivers but I wouldn't try it with all of thier laws stacked against me..the evil employer.
Rob A. Says
The tone of this piece sounds like the writer a) was snubbed by Obama's people and b) is enamored with living in the past with past administrations and c) is possibly Perez Hilton incognito.
Brian Says
Well Cathy how will you have a non profit health care system with no doctors. No one is going to spend the thousands of hours and the money to become a doctor to work for 30,000 a year. So you will show up for your appointment and there won't be anyone there to check you out.
Cathy Says
With reservations I voted for Obama because the other big choice of McCain/Palin would have been a huge disaster. Can we hope that a third party with a really viable candidate -- one who truly believes in America and cares about all its people -- emerge in 2012? I am one of the independent progressives that is totally dismayed by Obama's unfolding policies. I think that health care reform will be the linchpin here. Over 2/3rds of Americans want a single-payer non-profit health care system and Obama is backpeddling fast on this and seemingly coddles the for-profit medical-industrial-complex, believing they will do the patriotic thing in this time of troubles -- even though they caused the health care mess we are in today through their greed.
The Repubs are not at all viable. We know, sadly, what they will do, as we found out starting with Reagan. So what do we do? We need a new party with a strong independent candidate. I know -- it looks pretty dismal now, doesn't it, folks?
Brian R. Says
I would like to know if these celebrities are going to be paying the higher taxes or not. Did they give Obama a payoff so they can get a tax exemption so they can keep their 12 houses, 100 cars and private jets.
BigMike Says
Insteresting..........This guy has more time to party than actually fixing something....i.e. LIKE THE ECONOMY!!!!!!
The Prof Says
Obama has fooled us. He is the ultimate politician...telling everyone what they want to hear...then pulling the rug out from the supporters. Look at the bailout of GM and Chysler...all that money is gone and they're still filing for bankruptcy. Why can't people see the truth? Why are most of us not seeing the man behind the curtain. You better wake up and quick! I can see what is happening and it's not pretty. The bailout money is being wasted by the billions.
Obama, however likeable, is way in over his head. He has no guts and North Korea is about to prove it. Along with Iran and Russia. Israel is on their own.
Hollywood will never be the same. The film industry has moved out of LA for good. It's too expensive to do business here and Obama can do nothing to right that ship. Start paddling east.
Don't vote for Obama next time around. Won't be fooled again!
GeorgeC Says
Don't you see?
Obama's more interested in appealing to that popular kid crowd he was never a part of in elementary school!
Nah -- simpler way to put this...
This was a case of the ULTIMATE narcissist entertaining a room FULL of OTHER narcissists. It's a lovefest of people who feel better breathing their own hot air instead of dealing with reality. Reality doesn't get much more subjective and distorted than in some parts of LA for sure.
Whoa to the country whose electorate didn't bother to read the writing on the walls of the Chicago transit system about this guy.
Hopefully, we only have to put up with him for one term if enough people wise up and see that this guy is the WORST thing that could have happened to this country in a long time.
He's a mediocre leader with ideas that have failed everywhere else they've been attempted. Unfortunately, he's more concerned about creating more people dependent on the government for their livelihood AND being popular abroad than he is in doing what's good for the future of OUR country.
James Raider Says
Obama continues to tell each audience what it wants to hear, but the dishing out of the stimulus money is backfiring audibly.
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/05/obamas-not-so-free-money.htm...
His stimulus money is not so free.
Lee Says
Why isn't President Obama dealing with North Korea instead of partying for the Democrats? We are in trouble and he needs to focus his attention on real problems our country is facing. N. Korea!! nuclear arms race. Iran. Please tell Obama to stand up and fight for America. We need to stop N. Korea from blasing its neighbors. They have been testing and firing missles against the UN agreement!! They are violating its agreement and making President Obama look emasculated!
It is sad.
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