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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