Boston's birthday gift to Obama
By Scott Helman, Globe Staff
Happy Birthday indeed.
Boston's biggest names in Democratic politics, once divided into two camps during the presidential primary, united this evening to throw Barack Obama a 47th birthday fund-raiser bash.
The event at the swank State Room near Faneuil Hall was expected to bring in close to $5 million for Obama and the Democratic Party, which organizers say would make it the biggest political fund-raiser Boston has ever seen.
Harry Connick Jr. and his daughter crooned "Happy Birthday." About 850 people attended the reception, and about 250 paid $15,000 each -- $28,500 for a couple -- to dine with him afterward.
The fund-raiser, which sold out a week ago, was meant to be a coming-together of sorts for local supporters of Obama and of Hillary Clinton. Many of her backers were put off by the often divisive nature of their primary race, and what they felt was sexism in media coverage. Massachusetts, where admiration for the Clintons runs deep, gave her a sound victory in the primaries. But Bay State Democrats have joined forces to catapult Obama into the general election with his pockets full.
"Her own exhortation to her supporters, plus the sense of urgency about doing everything we can to help Barack Obama become the next president of the United States, has motivated an awful lot of us," said Steven Grossman, a leading Clinton fund-raiser and a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "We all wanted to make a dramatic statement that we're with him every step of the way."
Alan Solomont, who heads Obama's fund-raising in New England, said tonight's event was a "joint effort" among supporters of both candidates.
"We've stopped thinking in terms of Hillary people and Obama people," he said. "What was good about this was that we got everybody involved."
Bold-faced names on the guest list included Governor Deval Patrick; Senator John F. Kerry; philanthropist Barbara Lee; former governor Michael Dukakis; and former European Union ambassador Richard Morningstar.
"Are you ready to win?" Patrick asked to cheers. "If you are like me, you are hungry for a change in direction."
"I’m proud to join in the celebration and the fund-raising," Patrick told reporters earlier today. "I think the campaign is strong and doing well. It’s going to be a long slog between now and election day, and there are by no means any foregone conclusions, and I think that’s important for supporters of Senator Obama to acknowledge and important for the campaign to remember. There’s a lot of work still to be done to persuade the American people that the change in course that the Democratic Party is offering through Senator Obama is timely and right. I think it is, and I feel strongly about it, and I think that case is there to be made but I’m taking nothing for granted.”
For his part, Kerry was deeply critical of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain. "He doesn't get it," Kerry said. "He's even dangerous, I think, for the direction of this country."
A new 7 News/Suffolk University poll shows McCain closing the gap in Massachusetts, as he appears to be nationally.
While the Bay State is reliably Democratic, Obama leads McCain 47 percent to 38 percent, down from a 23-percentage-point lead last month. The survey, conducted Thursday-Sunday, showed 13 percent undecided and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.
Obama noted that the last time he was at the State Room was right after he had lost the New Hampshire primary to Clinton in January, setting the stage for the primary marathon. Take heed from that loss, he told his backers.
"Everybody, I think, was taken aback, because we had won Iowa and there was this giddy sense that this thing is rolling, this thing is moving ... and then we lost," Obama said. "I recite all this history because we do have three more months of work in this campaign, and I think that there's a tendency, particularly for Democrats, to start feeling kind of giddy again after a primary, in the summer months."
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$28,500 per couple.... they should donate it to the Greater Boston food bank!!!!!!
Nice try- we're not all sold on the gimmicks and marketing - "yes we can, I'm a community organizer, hope, change, just words" too familiar to most of us- David Axelrod was the one who won this nomination and unfortunately he's more qualified than Obama.
Hard to believe that the people of New England are really strupid enough to
back a woman that is trying her best to see that the United States will be held
back from being productive. Yep, the woman is a real piece of work.
We really thought the people of those New England states would stand up to
her and tell her to think of the good of the country instead of thinking only of
herself and her book.
The opposition party is sitting in the Great House waiting for Madam Pelosi
to bring today's Oil Crisis to a vote and she answers:
"...BY SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS AND LEAVING THE BUILDING.....!
"...SHE HAS OTHER THINGS TO DO AND CAN'T BE BOTHERED....!"
WHAT A LOUSY CHOICE FOR THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE....
Yeah, vote for the stupid, senile old guy who can't operate a computer. That will be better than a bright, articulate, young guy . All the idiots that voted for Bush just keep on voting for someone who they can identify with.
Pity it's impossible to giftwrap humility... although Obama would just return it for another Presidential seal, or perhaps the floorplans of the White House for redecorating plans...
Or maybe pay off that campaign debt to Karl Rove and the GOP...
McCain is a perpetual adoleslcent who fools around and mocks all that matters, so it doesn't matter how much experence he has. Obama wins hands down on maturity.
"Nice try- we're not all sold on the gimmicks and marketing - "yes we can, I'm a community organizer, hope, change, just words" too familiar to most of us- David Axelrod was the one who won this nomination and unfortunately he's more qualified than Obama.
Posted by BB "
You must really hate your career choice. Having no hope for change leads only to one option the status quo. You must really have a dismal life.
"The Stupid Old Guy who can't operate a computer has a heck of a better track record serving this country than Oblather, Mr. New Jersey!"
No-Bama, we're going to be Ba-Roke if he wins the election!
Sen John McCain,s experience on key international interest have gotten me inexperienced and confused the more.
Has The Light of Lights finished paying off his Somerville parking tickets?
i can't think of a more pandering event with the 2 biggest leftist do-nothing no mind phonies reunited.
together we can............ change our underwear........................ dope we can believe in......................
To the person who gave the shout out to Axelrod (who deserves it). Stop and ask yourself why Axelrod would throw that amount of talent behind Barack Obama. If Axelrod has the critical thinking skills to be president then the man he supports is qualified to be president. Right?
Republicans have controlled the White House for 28 out of the last 40 years and what have they done to move the country off of oil? Reagan competely shut down the budget for alternative and renewable energy and there it lingered until Clinton came along.
What was the price of gas when Bush/Cheney took office?
The national security of the U.S. depends on a forward looking and out of the box mentality when it comes to energy supply. Like T Boone Pickens is saying, our problem with oil isn't one we can drill our way out of.
Obama '08
Despite the fancy dinners, World Tours, fawning media coverage (yes, there IS a liberal media bias) and empty rhetoric, McCain is now dead even with him nationwide according to Rasmussen. I am proud that the electorate hasn't dumbed down to vote for BHO. Thank God for the internet and talk radio which, at least for now until Madam Pelosi gets her way, will still allow people to hear all sides of the issues and be able to make informed decisions for themselves. Keep it going McCain! Only 9 points to go to tie him in Mass; the bastion of liberalism where such a close race shouldn't exist but does!
I'm glad to see that the Anointed One graced our fair city with his presence. Oh how I can't wait for his version of change what ever that may be. When is he going to interview with the WSJ about his take on his tax reform.
"yes we can" keep this guy out of office. Bring on Colin Powell and I will vote for him.
I would much rather have a leader with intelligence and
thoughtfulness than some dope who would sing some ridiculous song like " bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran". What on earth was he thinking? Does he think? Or does he just listen to Rove et al to get elected? He's not clear on the economy, Lieberman needs to coach him on camera about Iraq/Iran/terrorists/Al Qaeda, and I do not think his actions towards either of his wives show any character at all.
He served our country, he survived being a POW, and we should all thank him for those things. But President? I for one have had enough of being embarassed by the words and actions of the President. The last 8 years have been painful. I do not want 4 more.
"Or maybe pay off that campaign debt to Karl Rove and the GOP..."
What ignorance! Haven't you been following the news for the past 7+ years? Karl Rove is the puppet master behind the sock puppet that McCain has turned himself into so he can get money from people who own oil companies. $1+M the day after he flip flopped on oil drilling, now news seeping out about everyone in the Hess oil family (including the limo driver) maxing out to McCain and the RNC.
It's O.K. though. Obama's education, jobs, energy, health and social services plans will help you whether or not you voted for him. He's that kind of a guy. That's why people like me are giving all they can to make sure he wins.
Responding to Denise, the food bank will provide immediate relief but the GOP will eliminate that benefit in hours!
We the People, need to bring in a Government that will support us, not the priviledged few.
The GOP has a history of "trickle down" economics, only to allow less economic power to the "have nots" and benefit the patrons of the GOP.
Hey person who signed with "W"
To answer your question, the price of oil when Bush took office what around $1.46 a gallon; representing roughly a 34% hike per year afterwards. The more important question is what the price of oil was when the Democrat controlled Congress took over in 2006 (if you recall, they were going to "DO" something about it). Well they sure have! Since assuming control under Pelosi in 2006 gas prices have risen 132% or a whopping 88% jump in their first 18 months in office.
Don't get me wrong, I have no big love of Bush for a variety of reasons, however it's foolish and just factually incorrect to pin the blame for this squarely on the GOP. Keep drilling while simultaneously exploring renewable energy. MCCAIN 2008
Let Obama take his $5million from the DNC fatcats and get him out of here. We'll vote him out and John Kerry too.
McCain:
Academic Achievement : 694 out of 700 at Annapolis
Age: 72 going on 90
Previous Experience: Fighter Jock
International Experience: 5 years in Hanoi
Character: Nasty (does not work well with others). Prone to anger tantrums
Liabilities: Limited intelligence, experiencing memory loss ( see 1 and 2 above)
Sorry he does not meet the requirements to be President of the United States
so which one will be wearing the t-shirt "i'm with stupid"?
both
An appropriate venue for the Tax & Spend & Tax & Spend & Tax & Spend Birthday Bash for "The One". Let's see, this is the home state of Teddy K. who was able to get the rest of the U.S. to pay for the tunnel project and who was able to have his niece (who has ZIPPO qualifications) vetting the next VP. How pathetic is THAT?!
No, actually, how APPROPRIATE is that?!
And $28K per couple - how about putting the $ where you mouth is Obama and help solve allll the world's problems with it? Nah, that bill will come after you are crowned King of the World!
PUMA
I would not dine with him if it was free.
How do you all like all these PAID McSame trolls! They all get there talking points from the RNC and they are either liars or very corrosive! One thing though, while the GOP are experts at tearing down there opponents, you still need a candidate that is for something... Off shore oil drilling wil get you a cup of coffee, no more...
What else does he have? The surge. Sick...
BB it was not axelrod strategy, he is good but it was Obama who decided the strategy for the campaign and he is still in charge, unlike the other guy who knows what he will come up with next.....mcCain there is.
To those nitwits out there who would like to see McCain be President. You can have him and four more years of an unnecessary war you do not have to fight and which cost thousands of innocent lives, high gas prices, no health insurance, low paying jobs or no job at all, home foreclosures, high interest rates and fees on credit cards, food poisonning, illegal immigrants, government contract scandals, government mismanagement (Hurricane Katrina), and low stature around the world.
Aaaah, Ramone. You just keep on waiting for Colin Powell. Sit in the corner, twiddle your thumbs, pretend that time stands still. That's what Republicans are all about, isn't it. Lost in some alternative universe, selfish, self-centered, greedy. We've lost 4100+ of our very best in Iraq, but that's OK with Republicans, as long as it's someone else's kid. Makes you want to puke doesn't it?
Rolling! So the koolaid drinkers think Obama is intelligent and articulate and will spare them embarrassment?
Here's an exercise! Trying counting the number of uh....uh...ummm...uhs he stutters per minute. I counted 17 in less than 3 minutes once. And that's not even counting his boneheaded bloopers such as the US having 57 states and the president serving 8-10 years!
Dream on with your delusions of intelligence and thoughtfulness. He's already said he can't handle details and will be passing them off on others. Prepare for more "heckuva job" brownies. And Rezko and Wright should clue you on Obama's judgment of cronies.
Good morning!
I live in Switzerland and I am also born on August 4, 1961 as Mr. Obama
If I were American I vôterai for him, his policy pleases me, it is perhaps not very experienced in politics, but it is certainly not as corrupt as the Republicans currently in power!
Why am I not surprised that Senaor Obama's "Birthday Party" was celebrated in one of the most expensive places in Boston? How many of his 'poor' constituents were partying there? This idea that the Democrat Party is for the 'poor' and the Republican party is for the "rich' was proven false (again) last evening! The Democrat Party is for big Government and tax tax tax the little guy. It used to be called Socialism. Let's bring back change - and call things as they are! Senator Obama is really a Socialist - a gifted speaker when he has it all written out for him, but totaly devoid of vision and common sense. To paraphrase a devoted Englishman from WW II days - If you are 20 and are a Socialist, you are an idealist but if you are 40+ and still a Socialist, then you are a fool!
Good to hear Obama had a birthday celebration/fundraiser.
For me the choice is clear in November. The contrast between the two candidates is stunning to say the least. I shutter to think what would happen to this country if that old warmonger were to be elected. Karen you are absolutely correct in that I hae been embarassed as well as a citizen of the United States when with Bush as it relates to foreign affairs. He has absolutely nothing between his ears, and it shows. McSame is a puppet and excuse me, if we have a BIG Oil guy that has made his fortune in oil, Pickens say drilling ain't the way, DON'T YOU THINK WE OUGHT TO LISTEN! People, he's not running for president. Obama has been saying this all along, Its almost like the gas tax holiday they wanted to sell us during the primaries and Obama stepped up to make us see, that was not the solution. PLZZZZZZZZZZ people wake up, try and get past his exterior, cause you can fool yourself if you want, but thats the only reason you're making excuses. You may not agree with him on everything, but the contrast should be CLEAR!
I don't care what your party affiliation might be, how in the world can you want more of what this country has endured the last 71/2 years. What is wrong with you. I just want someone to tell me what was so great about this administration that makes you want it to continue. This is just sick and I keep trying to understand because there must be something that I am missing. United States has become so out of hand that everything that used to be a luxury and then became everyday is now a luxury again. We have become a country of have/have not. What in the world is so great about this?
Obama's corrupt activities in Chicago sleaze politics are detailed in another article in today's BG. Before you swoon one more day over "The One" research his career in politics, the dirty, Republicanesque tactics he used against Democrats to eliminate primary opponents. His "win" against Alan (crazy) Keyes was a gimme. Obama is all about the big splash, the blind ambition to pursue higher office as soon as he won an election--at any cost; and about his sleazy, quid-pro-quo "connections."
I will not forgive the trashing of Hillary by his army of snotty-nosed "bots", the phony accusations of racism against her and Bill, the dirty-trick blocking of her delegates in FL and MI--no I am NOT voting for another 8 years of a sleazy pol running my country!
The truth is both major parties (duh) nominated the dead wrong persons and the choice for informed voters: NONE of the above. I am voting for a principled candidate, RALPH NADER. I know he will not betray ordinary Americans!
I am still angry at the Dem party, and this angry older woman will be angry on election day--VOTE NADER!
To Puma,
If you actually read the papers the rest of the country did not pay for the Big Dig. We the tax payers of Mass are. The wonderful federal government revoked promised money.
As for tax and spend, sucker please, the Republicans tax and spend just as much as th democrates. The dems tax and spend generally go to the people, the republicans generally tax and spend to big corporations and we the "little people" get nothing.