Is the Swiss Clooney Fundraiser still on? Update: Obama never scheduled to attend
posted at 10:24 pm on September 1, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | regular view
Last month, CNN reported that Barack Obama would head to Switzerland on September 2nd to attend two high-priced fundraisers hosted by George Clooney and Obama backer Charles Adams in Geneva. The dinner alone would raise over three-quarters of a million dollars, money that would come in handy now that John McCain raised $47 million in August:
Academy award winning actor George Clooney is set to host a fundraiser for Barack Obama in Switzerland next month.
The event, taking place on the evening of September 2 in Geneva, Switzerland will be split into two parts: a reception and a dinner. According to Obama’s National Finance Committee, tickets for the reception where Clooney will speak are going for $1,000, followed by a dinner at the home of NFC member Charles Adams for $10,000 a plate. Space for the dinner is limited to 75 guests.
Of course, McCain has spent this week raising money for those in the hurricane-stricken region of the Gulf. Will Obama take this opportunity to jet-set to a congregation of elite ex-pats in Europe while the McCains and the Republicans work on behalf of Americans needing shelter and assistance?
So far, nothing I’ve found indicates that Obama has cancelled this event. According to a Sky News report on Clooney from yesterday, the fundraiser is still on:
Clooney said the movie – though poking fun at the world of intelligence – had no political intent. Speaking of politics, wouldn’t Clooney, who is planning a fundraiser for presidential hopeful Barack Obama in Geneva, Switzerland next month, rather have been at the Democratic Convention in Denver, this week instead of in Venice?
‘I’m sort of happy to be here. It is one of my favourite places,’ Clooney said. ‘The stars of the convention should be the people who are being elected.’
He couldn’t be this desperate for cash …. could he?
Update: The fundraiser is still on (presumably), but nothing in the report indicates Obama will be there. In the original report, it didn’t indicate that Obama would attend at all.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
I sure hope so.
Marcus on September 1, 2008 at 10:26 PM
What I really want to know,are any of Clooney’s ex-
girlfriends or current girlfriends pregnant!(Sarc!).
canopfor on September 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Wow. Jetting off won’t exactly be a good idea for Obama.
Spirit of 1776 on September 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Well yes
Gracelynn on September 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM
He might show up and declare that as THE ONE he has decided to turn the event into a fundraiser for Hurricane victims or the two headed babies that Peggy Noonan mentioned. And then get praise heaped on him for his generosity and compassion. Or he might just take the money like a good socialist. Either way the media will swoon.
D0WNT0WN on September 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM
*rubs hands* If only our Mainstream Media would get over the crush and do their jobs, this would give Obama quite a bruise.
but I’m dreaming if I think they’d actually report this.
baxtrice on September 1, 2008 at 10:29 PM
what this country needs is more candidates that are more popular with our competitors and enemies than our own people in charge.
sven10077 on September 1, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I just hope there’s video of the event, at least the glitzy elites entering the mansion.
Loxodonta on September 1, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Obama’s auditioning for Ocean’s 14. I hear Cheadle dropped out.
Cold Steel on September 1, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Oh, the only thing the Media will talk about is how good looking the theorectical father is, ignoring the fact that he’s a smug, womanizing, irresponsible twit.
Please, please, please have this fundraiser. But make sure Sean Penn shows up with a gun and a red cup to talk about the relief efforts he’s involved in for the victims of Gustav.
mjk on September 1, 2008 at 10:38 PM
lol, hosed is right. Re exit question, Y-E-S!
T.Paine on September 1, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Oh paleaze, I’m sure if that were Palin there’d be hell to pay.
All day long bustin on the babe from Alaska while Obama hob nobs with the social elites and from Europe. Talk about the Hoy Palloy!
Kini on September 1, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Well, poor Bernie Mac, God rest him, is out. But B.O. would have to bulk up DeNiro-style.
mikeyboss on September 1, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Will the caring and compassionate biased MSM,
lay into the caring and compassionate Liberal
Barack Obama!
While Changey and Hopey is galavanting and prancing the world over for campaign dollars,while the misery unfolds
across the nation he claims to love and care about!
So while,the RNC,scales back on the RNConvention,during the
Hurricane,Obama seems to be above any critism of partying at
Dirty Rotten Filthy Rich Hollywood Actors and Actoress,in
other foreign countries!
And while Americans wallow in this Hurricane Crisis,Obama is
busy hobnobbing about,in fundraising,and these benefactors
have many,many homes I might add,will Change and Hope re-
ceive any flak or critism period!!!!
canopfor on September 1, 2008 at 10:42 PM
George Looney F.A.G – Film Actors Guild.
Couldn’t help but throw a little South Park in there! :D
Kini on September 1, 2008 at 10:42 PM
The citizen of the world will not miss the opportunity to meet with his $ociali$t buddie$.
jencab on September 1, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Cripes, they’re jealous they is not there! Uh huh!
Kini on September 1, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Interesting……….. If he doesn’t go, Obama will grace the people of the ravaged South, offering his healing hands to make everything all right, and of course, there will be the 24/7 coverage of the event…….. what Republican Convention? (Of course, there will be no mention as to Obama’s security needs interfering with true relief efforts).
If he does go, 24/7 on how the Republican Convention goes on while people are still suffering in the ravaged South, and Obama will “disappear” from the radar screen until the convention is over, along with stories why the heartless Bush/Cheney/McCain Chubacavra is no where to be seen helping the poor people, and if they do, how their security needs are interfering with true relief efforts…….
Let’s see how far off the mark I am?
Seven Percent Solution on September 1, 2008 at 10:46 PM
F.A.G
Kini on Sept 1,2008 at 10:42PM.
Kini: Field Acquisition Gear? haha:)
canopfor on September 1, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Is that Todd Palin with Barack? Or Levis dad? He sure looks like family.
Can he shoot?
mary jo on September 1, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Here are the options for Obama:
1. Obama will go to Louisiana and meet Gov. Bobby Jindal. Unfortunately because Bobby Jindal is a capable governor, it will show in vast relief what sort of politician and leader Obama isn’t.
2. Obama will go to Louisiana, meet up with John McCain, but continues to smear and accuse McCain of all sorts of things. Which makes him look petty and childish.
3. Obama goes to George Clooney’s fundraiser and looks like a bigger tool than when he made a speech to a bunch of Germans who can’t even vote. A leak will happen which will hear Obama mocking small town Americans for being bitter and judgemental and not liking “dem black folks.”
4. Obama goes to Hollywood and hangs out with celebs while People magazine has an orgasm. And the rest of us roll our eyes.
mjk on September 1, 2008 at 10:51 PM
I sure hope he goes. It would show just how out of touch he is.
RushBaby on September 1, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Thank you for the update, Ed; I was worried that the media would overlook this. I dare Obama to go.
Ocean’s 11 was just on the other night (TBS or something). I like a line from the scene of “the Mormon twins” on the race track because it applies to Obama. The twin in the pickup says to the other twin: “You either get going, or I’m gonna drop you like third period French.”
Likewise, McCain-Palin need to drop Obama-Biden like third period French.
Bernie Mac RIP
BuckeyeSam on September 1, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I didn’t want to go DU and joke on Bernie Mac. I leave the truly sick cracks to our leftist comrades. I second the peaceful wishes for Bernie. As for Obama, I’m not praying for physical death, I’m just praying for a political one.
Cold Steel on September 1, 2008 at 11:11 PM
So flying to the Swiss Alps for dinner in a carbon spewing jet is not ‘elitest’?
Someone phone Paris, got another gig for her.
GarandFan on September 1, 2008 at 11:11 PM
While Obama is discussing foreign policy with the braintrust of is fav “300″ in Switzerland, the Iraqi military will be taking over responsibility for Anbar Province.
Life is So Grand!!
Shivas Irons on September 1, 2008 at 11:11 PM
It seems to me that nothing was ever stated in connection with this fundraiser that Obama was actually going to attend the event. In fact, looking at your quotes, the only person who is stated to be in attendance at the fundraiser is Clooney. Wasn’t this pointed out to Cap’n Ed last month when he brought up this event the first time.
It took all of 10 seconds to find out that Obama is in Chicago tonight and plans on campaigning in Pennsylvania and Ohio this week.
But far be it from me to ruin anybody’s meme about Obama the Socialist Citizen of the World.
New_Jersey_Buckeye on September 1, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Not a chance in hell.
cgoode777 on September 1, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I am surprise that the lefties have not jumped on the usual, “Anbar has been peaceful for months and the announcement was staged by Karl Rove to coincide with the start of the RNC” bandwagon yet. They are slipping.
I’ve bet $10 that the Obama in Switzerland will get a 3 second token mention before shifting back to Teen-PregnancyGate on tomorrows news. It will be phrased to the effect of:
Damiano on September 1, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Just to be technical, but the actual event horizon is purely a mathematical calculation, nothing actually measurable.
I know, hair splitting, but the nerd inside me just can’t let it go.
Weebork on September 1, 2008 at 11:28 PM
You’re right. I’ve corrected my post above.
Ed Morrissey on September 1, 2008 at 11:28 PM
So what? Now Obama is too good for Hollywood parties in Switzerland?
/joke
Figured this argument needed a new direction in light of the update.
Damiano on September 1, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I thought I read in the fine print of one article that Sen. McCain is taking public financing and today was the last day that a person could donate to his campaign. Anyone have more info on this and if it is true? If so it would explain the rush of donations here.
JeffinSac on September 1, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Glad you corrected that. ‘Cause from what I can see of the original article, not only does it not “indicate” that Obama would attend, it said the speaker would be Clooney himself”
skylark on September 2, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Is that where BarBra is debuting her Obama song?
SouthernGent on September 2, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I haven’t watched any Clooney, Matt Damon or Ben Aflek movies in years.. don’t need that BS.
Chakra Hammer on September 2, 2008 at 12:54 AM
We’ve been very critical of Obarry so I’d like to pay him a compliment for something I find extraordinary: Having accomplished nothing of significance in his adult life he has nonetheless managed to produce two successful biographies before the age of 45. That is an extraordinary accomplishment. It is an audacious one. The audacity of hubris.
oldvannes on September 2, 2008 at 1:29 AM
Hollywood is nervous.
Connie on September 2, 2008 at 1:45 AM
Swiss Colony fundraiser? Yum. Cheese logs!
(I can’t be the only one who read it that way…)
IrishEi on September 2, 2008 at 5:56 AM
The west coast crowd has been inhaling too much of that smog it produces.
madmonkphotog on September 2, 2008 at 6:18 AM
BATMAN and FLOPIN’.
seejanemom on September 2, 2008 at 6:50 AM
I thought it was common knowlege that Clooney is gay.
TheSitRep on September 2, 2008 at 7:24 AM
Being of both Italian and Swiss descent, I laugh that an Irish-American has a villa in Tuscany and holds fundraisers for an American presidential candidate in Switzerland. The problem with Mr. Clooney is that he has spent so much time impersonating people for a living that he has no real identity.
ArmchairEnergist on September 2, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Why? Because the actors are liberals? This is such a stupid argument. Go out and rent The Good Sheperd as it is a great movie about a CIA agent, and what he sacrifices for love of his country.
An actor’s politics rarely have anything to do with the quality of the film they produce. The same goes for directors, producers, etc.
Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have endorsed Obama… and they made Saving Private Ryan. Hardly a bastion of liberalism.
The “liberal Hollywood” argument doesn’t hold much water guys.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
thePajamaPundit on September 2, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I didn’t read the links. Is this about Clooney starring in a remake of The Swiss Family Rob-us-son?
andycanuck on September 2, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment pages: