Last night was the much publicized Obama campaign fundraiser at George Clooney's Hollywood home. The event raised $15 million for Obama's campaign, which is apparently a record for a single fundraiser.
Party-goers -- 150 of Clooney's closest friends who forked over $40k a ticket -- included Tobey Maguire (who sat at Clooney's table), Robert Downey Jr., Salma Hayek, Jack Black, Barbra Streisand, and Jeffrey Katzenberg (head of Dreamworks). Obama and Clooney fawned over one another all night -- cracking jokes about their good looks like they were BFFs.
Sounds like a smashing success.
But if you remember, this dinner is the one that got a ton of press because the Obama campaign held a "Win Dinner With George Clooney" raffle so that two hoi polloi could attend and mix with Hollywood "elite" and the prez. What noblesse oblige.
It sure seemed like a great idea -- kind of an extension of the "Win Dinner With the President" raffles that have been held periodically over the past few months. Unfortunately, it ended up making the president look bad.The Obama campaign raised millions of dollars through the online raffle of two free tickets to the dinner. People could contribute $5 for a chance to go to the party. In fact, you didn't have to contribute anything at all to enter or to win.
The winners were Beth Topinka, a New Jersey science teacher, and Karen Blutcher, a Florida utility company employee. Both of the women went to the party with their husbands. So where did they sit? At the back of the party tent of course (I'm guessing right by the port-o-potties). So unimpressed, George. What kind of host are you?
Why the heck weren't these winners seated at Clooney or Obama's table? One couple could have sat with Clooney and another with Obama -- or both couples could have sat together at a table with Clooney and Obama. We all know the answer to that. These regular folks just aren't good enough to sit aside Hollywood royalty or get that close to the President (although I'm sure he made the most of those photo opps with the winners). The Obama campaign got the press coverage and $$$$ it wanted. George Clooney comes off looking like a great guy. And no doubt the winners will indeed be aglow that they got to bask in the light of all these famous stars -- oblivious to the function they really served.
Ah, America -- where the President is no longer a man of the people, fame and money talk, and politicians throw all the little people a bone ... when they need your vote.
Do you think the winners of the "Dinner With Clooney" raffle should have been seated with Obama and/or Clooney -- or do you think they belonged at the back of the tent?
Image via art_es_ana/Flickr
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Comments 28
LMAO guest.
There are sources to support my "Bush-hate", guest (or should I say rhymes with Snot-Liced-Toffee). And if we're being honest, it's more like my "everything-the-Right-believes-I-hate." I've spent some time Googling this story today and cannot find one link to support this. Can you? Please provide it, as I often provide links to support my views.
Oh JAFE, you're like Nelson Munsch from the Simpsons who follows on the heels of the bullies and after they smack somebody down, you point and say, "ha ha!" Sooooo intelligent.
:eyerolltimesinfinity
This kind of treatment is completely acceptable for some people, obviously... it just goes to show how little some expect from celebrities. They don't have to really put forth any effort to win them over, just their status alone is enough to please them.
Others, on the other hand, prefer to be treated with respect and dignity. I guess it is all in what you prefer. I wouldn't have been too pleased, but I wouldn't expect anything less from such a crowd of people.
You know why don't you procrasto??? I won't argue or waste my breath on people like you but if I see a good laugh, I'll chuckle. Screw you for calling me a bully! I don't name call nor am I a sarcastic ass and I'm far too intelligent than to waste my time watching The Simpson's! Good Lord. Now I know where you get your information!
LOL! The actual price of admittance to the lottery was $3 -- Three Whole Dollars! (You get what you pay for). And I can prove it. I well-know of the bargain-basement price because I subscribe to the "Obama For America -- OFA" email subscription list (and, yes, it's a hoot!).
I get regular emails from Jim Messina, obama's Campaign Manager, from the "O" himself & even his wife, Michelle! *wink*. The three of them begged me for weeks, via repeated spam-type emails, to send in $3 for a chance to dine with Clooney & obama. I declined. :- ( Bad me.
The whole thing was pretty sad and pathetic and reminded me of the previous emails from a few months before from Michelle, promising that for just $3, I could win a chance to dine with her "dreamy" husband. And "her". LOL -- as if!
I think these clueless folk are in for a big surprise -- a landslide in November. And one not in their favor.
These people are desperate and getting more so each day. 3 bucks? LOL! And ask them to talk about obama's "record" and/or his "accomplishments" in office and/or "plans" for the future?
Nuthin' but *crickets*
Obama Campaign Slogan: Arugula & Truffles!
And color me surprised that the teabagging commenters here don't need PROOF via a link that this actually happened. Because had the left accused Romney of the same thing, you all would have been calling for citations before the ink dried on this fluff piece.
Finally, had I been someone who had won an all expenses paid trip to George Clooney's house for the low low price of a five dollar note, you'd better believe I wouldn't be complaining about anything. I'd be so grateful to have had the experience, I'd probably clear my own dishes after dinner and help wash them!