Report from Obama’s fundraiser

Here's the pool report from the Obama fundraiser that was held in Minneapolis:

More than 350 campaign contributors - some of them donating $28,500 to

dine with a presidential candidate -- cheered Democrat Barack Obama

Wednesday at an exclusive fundraiser for him at the Minneapolis Hilton

Hotel.

"I am absolutely convinced we will win Minnesota," the Illinois senator

said to roaring applause.

Among those standing for his speech in a ballroom were Karl Schmidt and

his wife, Ellen, of Minneapolis, who an hour earlier had a private

picture taken with Obama. The campaign charged $5,000 for such photos.

"He seems to connect well with people," Karl Schmidt said. "He's very

charming."

Schmidt is the chief operating officer for an auto dealership and said

"most of my peeers are Republicans," some who contributed to Sen John

McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee. "So it's a little odd."

It cost $1,000 to attend the general reception at which Obama spoke. The

campaign did not disclose how many people donated $5,000 for pictures.

But 50 people paid $28,500 each to dine privately with the Illinois

senator. The menu: lettuce cup salad, beef medallions, followed by

birthday cake from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and other Minnesota

supporters.

Contributions were to be split between Obama and the Democratic National

Committee.

Among those at the general reception were Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak,

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

Klobuchar warmed up the audience before Obama's appearance.

Obama called Rybak "somebody who supported me before I started to run

for president."

He customized his standard stump speech in recognition of the importance

of the ethanol industry, but suggested possible changes in calllng for

"a new set of biofuels that will work for Minnesota and middle America."

"This is our movement, this is our time," Obama said, urging the donors

to "work with me."

Schmidt said he and his wife decided to attend the fundraiser because

"our economy is a mess, we're at a point where we have an opportunity

for some change. That's why we came."

Still, Schmidt said Obama's address seemed

similar to other speeches he's heard and that the senator said "nothing

really concrete."

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