Steven Spielberg, Judd Apatow, Idina Menzel and more show up for Obama

Idina Menzel's voice and Barbra Streisand's money were present at the Hancock Park home of producer John Wells and wife Marilyn on Monday night, where President Barack Obama spoke at an event that raised $1 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The president arrived shortly before 7:30 p.m., introduced by Rep. Nancy Pelosi and welcomed by guests who, after paying $2,500 to attend, had been drinking wine and listening to a string quartet while mingling in "The West Wing" and "ER" producer Wells' yard -- a walled courtyard with a pool surrounded by grass lawn, manicured lemon trees, sage, rose bushes and Japanese maples. 

"What a spectacular evening," said the president, who bounded out onto a brightly lighted stage as the air cooled and the sun softened, speaking for about a half-hour without a teleprompter or notes, pool reports said. "Let's just hang out."

Hanging out with Obama was a bargain for one guest -- Debra Deckerof Phoenix, the winner of an online contest for grassroots donors, who attended with daughter Amber Romero and contributed $25.

Moving up the financial food chain, co-hosts including Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, writer-producer JJ Abrams, Time Warner chief Alan Horn and wife Cindy, and venture capitalist Tom Unterman and wife Janet attended, donating $30,400 a couple for the privilege; Jeffrey Katzenberg and wife Marilyn, as well as Streisand, were also cohosts and donors but did not attend.

"Wicked" star and "Glee" guest Menzel -- who performed at the White House in July and was slated to entertain Monday -- was on hand with husband Taye Diggs, as were writer-producer-director Judd Apatow, former NFL head coach Dennis Green and a host of politicians, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, pool reports said.

Obama commented on the current tough times, and said keeping Congress in Democratic hands would be "my focus over the next several months."

"I hope you understand why we're here tonight. It's not to take a picture with the president," Obama said. "We're here to make sure those who took the tough votes are rewarded."

To the Hollywood crowd, he declared, "We have been able to deliver the most progressive legislative agenda -- one that helps working families -- not just in one generation, maybe two, maybe three."

Obama did not linger, the pool reports said. The motorcade zipped back to Beverly Hills shortly before 8 p.m., as the sun set over Olympic Boulevard.

Unfortunately for commuters, while POTUS was zipping to and from the party, many Angelenos were stuck in hours of event-related gridlock, L.A. Now reports -- a little side effect of streets and sidewalks being closed down for hours during the Monday rush.

No ticket was required to attend the traffic-jam part of the event.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Idina Menzel, top right, at the 61st Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 13, 2010. Barbra Streisand, left, at the "Standing Ovation" premiere in Universal City on July 10, 2010. Credits: Peter Kramer / Associated Press, right; Dan Steinberg / Associated Press, left

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Comments

[Joseph Montemarano]

Thanks for the gridlock Mr. President. You inconvenienced an entire city to attend a fund raiser? And you raised a whopping $1,000,000. How much tax payer money did you spend in transportation, security and accommodations?
Does anyone know how we can find out?

[cdz from the ministry]

Christie D'Zurilla here from the blog, with a reminder that per our terms of service, we do not publish comments that contain copyrighted or other proprietary material of any kind without the express permission of the owner of that material -- i.e., entire articles lifted from other websites.

Also, we typically do not post comments that include links.

//cdz

[Joel Epstein]

Let's hope the guests spoke with him about the 30/10 Initiative and how important it is to LA in terms of jobs and public transportation.

[heylaembarressedyet?]

cowards

[tanaS]

Babs, still paying 60 % retail on antiques? Be sure to pay sales or use tax.

[cdz from the ministry]

@heylaembarressedyet? -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the blog.

Yes, we are cowards when it comes to violating copyright, and that's why I didn't publish the Gary Hubbell article you copied and pasted. Say it in your own words, without profanity or a link I have to vet for content, and I'll make it live.

//cdz

[Lisa]

Could someone please explain to me why these people - who worked hard for their fortunes - are so gung-ho for a man who wants nothing less than to socialize the American economy?

Every person who atteneded this love-fest collectively employs hundreds of people, most of whom live from paycheck to paycheck. What if Obama one day told Steven Spielberg that he made way too much money last year, so, for the societal good, Spielberg, from now on, cannot make a penny more than what the government deems is acceptable. The bulk of Spielberg's worth (property, stocks, etc.) is also confiscated because the government has determined that it is unjust for one man to own so much when many other men own nothing! The people that Spielberg employs will either get their pays slashed or lose their jobs! That is precisely what Obama means when he calls for "redistributive change" and "economic justice".

[ER from LA]

I am saddened that so many Jews from Hollywood are still supporting Obama, knowing very well his record on Israel. Or they just don't care... Very unfortunate and disappointing..