Veil of secrecy at Obama's London fundraiser

[Karmadillo]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/veil_of_secrecy_at_obamas_lond.html

Veil of secrecy at Obama's London fundraiser
By Tom Hundley

LONDON -- An unusual veil of secrecy shrouded Michelle Obama’s fundraising trip here Monday evening.

The $2,300-a-head event at the Landmark Hotel was “closed to the press.” But the hotel lobby 45 minutes before the event started?

When a young campaign aide spotted a Tribune reporter chatting with a couple of enthusiastic Obama supporters, he interrupted the conversation and scolded the reporter.

“This is a private event. We have to ask you to exit the hotel,” the aide said.

The taken-aback reporter declined, pointing out that a hotel lobby is a public gathering place and that he had no intention of crashing the event. Asked why the hotel lobby had to be declared a press-free zone, the aide said something about “protecting the privacy” of the people who paid to be here.

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[saracat]

1. Maybe Royalty were present?

[hedgehog]

2. And look at this:

Campaign officials were equally close-mouthed about the number of attendees, the amount of money raised, the substance of Ms. Obama’s remarks and what kind of food was served to donors.

Inquiring minds want to know - did they serve chicken or fish!?!?

At least the reporter noted that this was an "unusual" veil of secrecy. I have to wonder of the campaign aide in the lobby was maybe a little too enthusiastic.

I think the number of Americans overseas is larger than the number of voters in several of our smaller states. This may have been a foreign dinner, but that doesn't mean it was foreign money.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. Aren't Foreign Nationals Precluded From Contributing To American Campaigns?

Must be American citizens living abroad...

[flpoljunkie]

6. Indeed, they are.

[AtomicKitten]

4. The interest of expatriates in the upcoming election is intense.

[RFKJrNews]

5. Verrrrry interesting

What's that about?

Y'know, I was just thinking to myself earlier today: "What we really need in the American political system is more secrecy! We don't really have enough quite yet..."

[AtomicKitten]

8. thank you your concern, but that fund-raiser was held across the pond

Have we invaded them yet? Well, hang in there because maybe we can "democratize" Europe as well and enlighten them with our country's current take on democracy and elections since it all has worked out so nicely.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Perhaps the over zealous aide will get a talking to for declaring the lobby off limits. I hope so!

[Clintonista2]

9. Ugh. The more I learn about Obama, the more an Obama presidency scares me. nt.

[ripple]

14. SCARES you?

The republican party will apprecate your support once Obama becomes the democratic nominee. In fact, they are counting on people like you.

Oh, and don't forget that he's muslim. :eyes:

[Clintonista2]

16. So if I dont support Obama I'm a republican?

Nice rationalizing. Real nice.

[ripple]

17. Stating that an Obama presidency would "scare" you

puts you in the same category as a lot of people who thought the same way in 2004. Make of it what you will.

[illinoisprogressive]

10. sounds like someone very important was going to be there.

[AlCzervik]

11. Orly? Like who?

[illinoisprogressive]

12. what is really scary is that Bush clone, Hillary back in the white house, Lerwin

[AlCzervik]

15. you realize you're responding to yourself---right?

[LittleClarkie]

13. Can we agree that campaign aides, not matter the candidate, are jerks?

It's starting to seem that way.

[Generator]

18. This sounds like that movie, Eyes wide shut

Obama, you devil!