Barack Obama L.A.-bound to shake hands for dollars

Sen. Barack Obama makes a point of heralding his small donors from among hundreds of thousands of backers, allegedly to show broad grass-roots political and financial support. But don't overlook the fact that he still collects large sums from big donors.

Such will be the case when he arrives in Los Angeles on June 24 and meets some of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s donors.

One of Clinton’s strongest fundraising bases was, in fact, Los Angeles. On Monday, Clinton hosted phone calls with her finance committee members and encouraged them to get as heavily involved in Obama’s campaign as they want. Some Clinton loyalists remain hesitant, but others are jumping in.

John B. Emerson is a former Clinton White House aide who was one of Clinton’s most successful Los Angeles-area fundraisers. Convinced that the defeat of Sen. John McCain is all-important, he's among the co-hosts of Obama’s June 24 gala at the Music Center.

As a co-host, he is responsible for helping get others -- many others -- to make the maximum donation of $2,300 to Obama. In an interview with The Times' Dan Morain, Emerson would not guess how much he would raise, other than to say: "I’m sure I’ll be successful."

Emerson, of the investment house Capital Guardian Trust Co., said that during the phone calls Clinton gave her backers the "clear understanding that she is moving on and that her priority is getting Barack elected." Obama’s backers are going out of their way to be "gracious," he said.

Bloggers such as Joe Gandelman over at the Moderate Voice confirm evidence of Clinton's behind-the-scenes efforts to mobilize her forces for Obama.

The June 24 event will be two-tiered. Donors giving $2,300 to Obama will get general admission. People giving $28,500 to the Democratic National Committee will get dinner with Obama.

Charles Rivkin, Obama’s California finance committee co-chair, said tickets are selling quickly, many of them to Clinton’s donors. He added that Obama’s fundraisers are not being too pushy.

"There is not a hard sell," said Rivkin, chief executive of the entertainment firm Wildbrain. "We want to welcome them."

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP / Joe Raymond 

Comments

[Wm Tate]

"...don't overlook the fact that he still collects large sums from big donors."

Interesting that this fact hasn't been highlighted on MS(Most Slanted)NBC, or the rest of the far-left media.

-Wm Tate,
http://www.atimelikethis.us/

[COL. [retd] A. M.Khajawall MD]

Dear American Voters,

Hon. Senator McCain and Obama, besides each having many attributes and characteristics. The critical differences between the two of these presidential presumptive nominees are as under:

1. Presidential "Temperament and Composer".
2. Little Washington "insider Versus outsider" experience.
3. "Vision and mission" for our nation future rather than past.
4. American policies, " first U.S.A Centric" than any other country [ ies ] centric.

In my professional opinion Senator Obama leads in all above qualities.

The need of our next movement and generation is a change. The Change in " past Washington and its Leadership". A change we can believe in and not the seductive, deceptive, and confusing slogan of "leader we can believe in" [? Effexor ?".

Our Greatgrand Nation has to address many present and future challenges and start with new clean "Slate and Senator".

God Bless America. its diverse people, and our Greatgrand Nation.

Our Greatgrand Nation is needs the CHANGE at every level and for long time.

I am sure Senator Obama with the help of Senator Clinton and her supporters, can deliver that CHANGE.

Please stay involved, stay engaged, and stay informed. Please do not allow any seduction, deception, and or confusion by some partisan media and leaders effect your vote [ Psychological Terrorism ]..

Yours truly,

COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
Disabled American Veteran
Forensic psychiatrist, Las Vegas

PS: It is tragic, sad, and unfortunate that Hon. Senator McCain does not show " Presidential Temerament and Togetherness " to be President of our Greatgrand Nation in coming complex and critical time.

[Motherotwo]

I guess the "rest" of us who can't afford access to Obama will just have to give him our vote then. I just have to wonder our loud: how truly representative our representatives really are? Not that I don't support Barack, but if a person can't afford a general admission, how is your voice ever really heard? And I shouldn't even begin to mention how deaf Feinstein and Boxer completely ignore their constituents. Yay. go democracy for the Oligarchy. Hmmm...

[Ron]

There are big donors and small donors...In Obama's campaign, the former outnumber the latter approximately 1000 to 1. Anti Barack bloggers who can no longer pretend that they are pro Hillary, have no choice, but to be pro McCain....... Your cover has been blown.... I can usually tell who you are, because most of you don't even realize that spell check exists.

[MEDIA HATES OBAMA]

Obama had better try to make nice with the MEDIA, that is who is trying to destroy him 24/7. Fox and ABC do it outright, but CNN, CBS and MSNBC are ATTEMPTING to be underhanded with their anti-Obama coverage.

One EXAMPLE: The media will say, Obama (SLAMS) McCain, but McCain (ACCUSES) Obama!!!

[Motherotwo]

"Ron"

No-- I did not spell check, but even if I had you missed the point.

Let me simplify it for your small brain:

Representative Government ONLY exists for the wealthy. Even in our own "democratic" party.

Don't be all "I'm a thought police/keyboard courage" message board attendee when 1/2 your thoughts are completely missing the point. OF COURSE there are small donors an large donors, but which one gets "face time"?