Obama keeps donors coming
Downtown breakfast raises up to $500,000
Downtown breakfast raises up to $500,000
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
Even the event's organizer, state Sen. Eric Kearney, said he was astounded by the success of Monday's Barack Obama fundraiser at the Westin Hotel downtown, which might have raised as much as $500,000 for the Illinois Democrat's presidential campaign.
About 1,000 Obama supporters - including a handful of Republicans - crammed the main ballroom at the Westin. Dozens had to stand through the breakfast, lining the walls.
It was an unusually large fundraising event for Cincinnati, which spoke to the star power Obama carries. Former President Clinton drew 600 to a downtown hotel in October when he appeared at a fundraiser for John Cranley's congressional campaign.
No reporters or cameras were allowed inside. An impromptu news conference promised by a campaign aide failed to materialize.
Obama's security detail, concerned about moving him through a crowd of hundreds of supporters to where the media was camped out, whisked him out a side door.
The cheapest ticket was $100, but those who paid $1,000 or more got to spend about half an hour in a private room with Obama before the main breakfast.
Those who donated $2,300 - the maximum contribution allowed for the presidential primary cycle - had their picture taken with the candidate.
Asked afterward how much was raised, Kearney - whose wife, Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, was a Harvard Law School classmate of Obama - said that while the checks were still being counted, the event raised at least $350,000 and perhaps as much as $500,000.
"It was unbelievable," Kearney said. "The people just kept coming."
What was most impressive was "how diverse a crowd it was - whites, blacks, Latinos, Asian folks, rich and poor," Kearney said. "It shows the broad appeal Barack has."
A considerable number of people bought "walk-up" tickets to the 8 a.m. breakfast.
As of Sunday night, about 750 tickets had been sold. In the end, at least 1,000 people paid to see and hear Obama, a first-term senator whose campaign has created much of the early buzz on the 2008 presidential campaign trail.
At the reception for large donors was one of Cincinnati's highest-profile supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose campaign has been trading barbs with Obama's campaign over the past week.
Class-action lawyer Stan Chesley, who has raised millions for Bill Clinton and for Hillary Clinton's campaigns, said he was there because he has "enormous respect" for Obama.
"Of course, I am supporting Hillary; but, mainly I want to see the best Democrats run for president. Senator Obama is very impressive."
The crowd inside the main breakfast event ranged from enthusiastic supporters of the Illinois senator to Democrats who have yet to make up their minds.
Myrtis Grace, of Bond Hill, a retired teacher, said Obama has "reignited my interest in politics."
"I worked for (John F.) Kennedy and for Bill Clinton, but I haven't been involved lately," Grace said. "But Senator Obama is inspiring. He's so passionate."
Cincinnati Councilwoman Laketa Cole, a Democrat, said she has yet to make up her mind about which presidential candidate to support, but came away impressed.
"I want to hear Hillary; I want to hear all of them," Cole said. "But he made a great speech, talking about bringing the country together, healing the divisions. I like that."
About 1,000 Obama supporters - including a handful of Republicans - crammed the main ballroom at the Westin. Dozens had to stand through the breakfast, lining the walls.
It was an unusually large fundraising event for Cincinnati, which spoke to the star power Obama carries. Former President Clinton drew 600 to a downtown hotel in October when he appeared at a fundraiser for John Cranley's congressional campaign.
No reporters or cameras were allowed inside. An impromptu news conference promised by a campaign aide failed to materialize.
Obama's security detail, concerned about moving him through a crowd of hundreds of supporters to where the media was camped out, whisked him out a side door.
The cheapest ticket was $100, but those who paid $1,000 or more got to spend about half an hour in a private room with Obama before the main breakfast.
Those who donated $2,300 - the maximum contribution allowed for the presidential primary cycle - had their picture taken with the candidate.
Asked afterward how much was raised, Kearney - whose wife, Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, was a Harvard Law School classmate of Obama - said that while the checks were still being counted, the event raised at least $350,000 and perhaps as much as $500,000.
"It was unbelievable," Kearney said. "The people just kept coming."
What was most impressive was "how diverse a crowd it was - whites, blacks, Latinos, Asian folks, rich and poor," Kearney said. "It shows the broad appeal Barack has."
A considerable number of people bought "walk-up" tickets to the 8 a.m. breakfast.
As of Sunday night, about 750 tickets had been sold. In the end, at least 1,000 people paid to see and hear Obama, a first-term senator whose campaign has created much of the early buzz on the 2008 presidential campaign trail.
At the reception for large donors was one of Cincinnati's highest-profile supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose campaign has been trading barbs with Obama's campaign over the past week.
Class-action lawyer Stan Chesley, who has raised millions for Bill Clinton and for Hillary Clinton's campaigns, said he was there because he has "enormous respect" for Obama.
"Of course, I am supporting Hillary; but, mainly I want to see the best Democrats run for president. Senator Obama is very impressive."
The crowd inside the main breakfast event ranged from enthusiastic supporters of the Illinois senator to Democrats who have yet to make up their minds.
Myrtis Grace, of Bond Hill, a retired teacher, said Obama has "reignited my interest in politics."
"I worked for (John F.) Kennedy and for Bill Clinton, but I haven't been involved lately," Grace said. "But Senator Obama is inspiring. He's so passionate."
Cincinnati Councilwoman Laketa Cole, a Democrat, said she has yet to make up her mind about which presidential candidate to support, but came away impressed.
"I want to hear Hillary; I want to hear all of them," Cole said. "But he made a great speech, talking about bringing the country together, healing the divisions. I like that."
Republican supporter
Harold Brooks, a longtime GOP activist from Westwood, said he came because he plans to help organize a "Black Republicans for Obama" organization in Ohio.
"My party may not like it, but I support Sen. Obama," Brooks said. "He's the best candidate I've seen."
Obama's appearance in Cincinnati drew a response from the Hamilton County Republican Party in the form of a written statement from Maggie Nafziger, the party's executive director.
"Senator Obama's lack of leadership and liberal voting record is concerning," Nafziger said. "I am not sure he is prepared to function as head of the world's most powerful nation at such a crucial time in our nation's history."
Obama is the first of the announced Democratic candidates to campaign in Cincinnati.
After the Cincinnati event, Obama went on to Columbus and Cleveland, making the rounds of the major cities in a state that is likely to have a great deal to say about who becomes the 44th president of the United States.
"My party may not like it, but I support Sen. Obama," Brooks said. "He's the best candidate I've seen."
Obama's appearance in Cincinnati drew a response from the Hamilton County Republican Party in the form of a written statement from Maggie Nafziger, the party's executive director.
"Senator Obama's lack of leadership and liberal voting record is concerning," Nafziger said. "I am not sure he is prepared to function as head of the world's most powerful nation at such a crucial time in our nation's history."
Obama is the first of the announced Democratic candidates to campaign in Cincinnati.
After the Cincinnati event, Obama went on to Columbus and Cleveland, making the rounds of the major cities in a state that is likely to have a great deal to say about who becomes the 44th president of the United States.
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