Variety: Clinton, Obama go Hollywood

[villager]

Clinton, Obama go Hollywood

Biz preps campaign coin

By TED JOHNSON

The blooming presidential campaigns of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama have set fund-raising swings through Los Angeles, as they tap entertainment industry donors in what will be a frenetic race for campaign money.

The DreamWorks trio of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen sent out hundreds of invitations Wednesday for a Feb. 20 fund-raising reception for Obama's exploratory committee. The $2,300-per-person event, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, will be followed by a private dinner at Geffen's home for Obama's fund- raising co-chairs. The latter are those who commit to raising $46,000 each for the evening.

Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign is planning a big gala on March 24, at a venue such as a hotel in the Beverly Hills area. That will be preceded by a visit on Feb. 11, when Clinton is planning to hold meet-and-greets at the homes of investment banker Sim Farar and of entertainment industry mogul Haim Saban. The meet-and-greets are for fund-raiser/donors who each commit to raising at least $25,000. Clinton also plans another visit to meet with donors in late Feb.

"She will be talking about her race: 'I'm in, and I'm in to win,'" said Farar, echoing the catchphrase Clinton used Saturday in announcing the formation of an exploratory committee. One fund-raiser/donor described the method of raising money as akin to setting up Amway distributorships. Because each donor is limited to giving at most $4,600 per candidate per election cycle, a pyramid-like network of key fund-raisers is required to round up contributions.

As such, the process of organizing the events is said to be a balancing act of egos and logistics -- what one fund-raiser called "organized chaos." Holding the Clinton event in a hotel, for instance, saves the campaign from having to soothe the inevitable animosities that would develop if one donor's home is picked for a fete over another.

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117958048.html?categoryid=10&cs=1

[Bombtrack]

1. So Obama has the most talented actor of his generation and one of the most talented directors

of his on Baracks side at this stage. (the his' being the actors and direcots generation, not Obamas)

I'm talkin bout Edward Norton and Spielberg.

I also read George Clooney is for Obama, and he isn't so bad at either acting or directing.

[villager]

2. yet, the article is careful to point out few are "really choosing"

at this point, just helping "raise funds," y'see...

Interesting parsing going on...

[Missy M]

3. You have to read the whole article to see that many have not...

made a definite decision. The fund raising is an ongoing thing until later. As I read it many have not committed yet to one person, it is still early.

[Nedsdag]

4. Elizabeth Taylor gave money to Hillary?

My mother's going to be upset. She loves Liz Taylor but hates Hillary.