Celebrities raise US$1,3m for Obama

LOS ANGELES – A host of Hollywood celebrities have donated $1,3m to Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign at a lavish fund-raiser in Los Angeles.

Film producer Steven Spielberg, actor Eddie Murphy, George Clooney and singer Jackson Browne were among those at the event. It comes a year before California holds its primaries in the run-up to the November 2008 presidential elections.The entertainment industry has traditionally been a lucrative source of cash for the Democrats.Tickets for the star-studded reception were sold for $2 300 – the maximum individual donation for a federal campaign.The event, at a Beverly Hills hotel, was organised by Spielberg and his Dreamworks studio co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.Obama – one of six Democratic party hopefuls – told the audience they had “enormous power” that comes with “enormous responsibility” because of their impact on American culture.”Don’t sell yourselves short,” he said.”You are the storytellers of our age.”Later, a private dinner was organised at Geffen’s home for those who raised at least $46 000 for the evening.In the last presidential election in 2004, the entertainment industry gave $33,1m to federal candidates and parties, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.BBCIt comes a year before California holds its primaries in the run-up to the November 2008 presidential elections.The entertainment industry has traditionally been a lucrative source of cash for the Democrats.Tickets for the star-studded reception were sold for $2 300 – the maximum individual donation for a federal campaign.The event, at a Beverly Hills hotel, was organised by Spielberg and his Dreamworks studio co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.Obama – one of six Democratic party hopefuls – told the audience they had “enormous power” that comes with “enormous responsibility” because of their impact on American culture.”Don’t sell yourselves short,” he said.”You are the storytellers of our age.”Later, a private dinner was organised at Geffen’s home for those who raised at least $46 000 for the evening.In the last presidential election in 2004, the entertainment industry gave $33,1m to federal candidates and parties, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.BBC