Obama Goes Hollywood

While Americans are worried about the economy in light of this week's Wall Street meltdown, Sen. Barack Obama took time off to spend an evening with his kind of people: Hollywood's rich and famous.

This is an e-mail sent out by the Republican Party with highlights of Barack Obama's Hollywood Adventure:

Hollywood’s rich & famous “snapped pictures with their cell phones and Blackberrys,” “Ms. Streisand ran through bits of a few songs, but did not sing entire numbers,” and celebrities dined on “salad with goat cheese, roasted potatoes, filet of beef and asparagus, apple crisp and chocolate lava cake” at last night’s Beverly Hills fundraiser for Barack Obama….

What they’re saying…

“Obama noted some of the nervousness among donors, and suggested that there was no shortage of advice coming his way from politically charged industry creative types. … Among those present were Leonardo DiCaprio, Jodie Foster, Tobey Maguire, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Larry David, Jamie Lee Curtis, Barry Meyer, Chris Albrecht, Bruce Cohen, Ari Emanuel, Jim Wiatt, Peter Chernin, Darren Star, Bob Daly, Skip Brittenham, Skip Paul, Joe Calabrese, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, Eric Paquette and Jessica Postigo, Clarence Avant, Kelly Meyer, David Geffen and Steven Spielberg. Even in that crowd, the well-heeled donors snapped pictures with their cell phones and Blackberrys….” – Variety, 9/17/08

“Barbra Streisand sings and the Obama campaign cash register ka-chings. … A slew of A-list stars attended, including Jodie Foster, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Rock, Tobey Maguire and Will Ferrell.” – New York Daily News, 9/17/08

“Ms. Streisand ran through bits of a few songs, but did not sing entire numbers. Her performance was closed to reporters. … Among the celebrities in his audiences were: Will Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jodi Foster, Chris Rock and Dennis Haysbert, who portrayed the first African-American U.S. president on the TV series “24.” Mr. Obama took pains to highlight his economic concerns.” – New York Times, 7/17/08

“Hollywood A-listers paid big bucks to see Sen. Barack Obama at a Beverly Hills dinner on Tuesday night, where Obama focused his remarks on easing Democrats’ jitters about the close race ahead. … Attendees at the $28,500-per person dinner included Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Tobey McGuire, Leonardo diCaprio and Jodi Foster.” – Wall Street Journal, 7/17/08

“It was clear why Barack Obama's campaign barred television crews from a Beverly Hills mansion at twilight Tuesday as the Democratic presidential nominee mingled with movie stars on a giant terrace overlooking Los Angeles. The cocktail reception was part of Obama's biggest night of Hollywood fundraising so far, an evening capped with a live performance by Barbra Streisand at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.” - LA Times, 9/17/08

“The night was split into two glitzy events, a reception and dinner costing $28,500 each at the Greystone Mansion, followed by entertainment by Streisand at the nearby Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It was a day of contrasts for Obama.” – Associated Press, 7/16/08

“Just as Barack Obama would seem to be regaining his footing in the battle for the middle class … the Democrat was returning to the haunts of some Hollywood allies whose association hasn't always served him that well: Streisand and company.” – Chicago Tribune, 7/17/08

“Many a film scene has been shot at the Greystone Mansion in Los Angeles, Calif., where a 55-room Tudor mansion tonight beckoned Hollywood glitterati to contribute $28,500 per person to the Democratic National Committee/Obama for America joint Victory Fund. … Film buffs might also recognize the manse from "What Women Want," "The Witches of Eastwick," "The Big Lebowski," "Death Becomes Her, and "Batman & Robin," among others. And it was here that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Arrived shortly before 7 pm Pacific for a fund-raising reception and dinner -- salad with goat cheese, roasted potatoes, filet of beef and asparagus, apple crisp and chocolate lava cake. … Around 800 people -- including Sarah Silverman, Ron Howard, Magic Johnson, and Pierce Brosnan -- were there, eaching paying $2,500 to the Obama Victory Fund.” – ABC News, 7/17/08