Obama raises $100,000+ in Chapel Hill-Edwards' back yard

[mnhtnbb]

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was in Chapel Hill Thursday night, but unless you forked over $1,000 you probably didn't know it.

Obama made no public appearances. His campaign said he was giving no interviews and was not making him available for photographs. Reporters and photographers were kept beyond shouting distance when Obama arrived in Durham on Thursday afternoon for a private meeting with local political leaders.

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Obama was expected to raise more than $100,000 Thursday at the Chapel Hill home of Steve Lerner, a 52-year-old investor active in Democratic politics.

Among the sponsors of the event -- at $2,300 per person -- were Cary computer software executive John Sall, Raleigh public relations executive Ken Eudy and Durham jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

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The only major presidential hopeful who has had several public appearances in North Carolina is former Sen. John Edwards, who lives in Chapel Hill.

Edwards has dominated the presidential money chase in North Carolina.

He raised $1.4 million from state residents during the first three months of the year -- more than twice as much as all other presidential candidates, Democrats and Republicans, combined.

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