Chronicling trends in entertainment, pop culture, politics, the arts, and the uncategorized et cetera.

Shallow Nation

September 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

Video & Photos: Barack Obama Speech at Hollywood Fundraiser 9-16-08

Barack Obama at Hollywood fundraing event featuring Barbra Streisand performance, September 16, 2008

Here are photos and video of the speech that Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama delivered at the much discussed $28,500 a plate A-list Hollywood fundraiser at Doheny Mansion and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, at which Barbra Streisand gave a rare live performance, on September 16, 2008. According to press reports, the event raised an estimated $9 million for the Barack Obama Presidential campaign.

Senator Obama Barack Obama spoke for about 15 minutes in an outdoor courtyard, a well-lit setting inside the sprawling compound of the Greystone Mansion. A few stars were shining above in the nighttime sky, as well as an audience filled with them.

He made his remarks from a stage in the corner, bathed in lights, holding a microphone in his hand as he looked out into the crowd. He said the campaign provided a sobering look at the country’s economic condition.

“It’s reminded people that this is not a game. This is not a reality show, no offense to any of you,” Mr. Obama said to laughter. “This is not a sitcom.”

Among the celebrities who could be seen by your pool, which was stationed at the rear of the courtyard: Will Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jodi Foster. And Dennis Haysbert, who played the president on the TV series “24.”

There were at least 300 people, seated at 30 tables resting on cobblestone. White and red wine glasses were on the tables. Waiters, dressed in black, listened to the speech.

Barack Obama at Hollywood fundraing event featuring Barbra Streisand performance, September 16, 2008

It was a serious speech for Mr. Obama – interrupted only once or twice by applause – as he spelled out the stakes of the campaign. He also talked about jittery Democrats, the reason for running and his opponents’ strategy against him.

“I know that a lot of you, just in conversations while we were in the photo lines, had all sorts of suggestions,” Mr. Obama said. “I know that won’t surprise you. And a lot of people have gotten nervous and concerned. Why is this as close as it is? And what’s going on?”

“We always knew this was going to be hard, and this is a leap for the American people. And we’re running against somebody who has a formidable biography, a compelling biography. He’s a genuine American hero, somebody who served in uniform and suffered through some things that very few of us can imagine.

“And so he is a worthy opponent. And this should be hard, because what we’re asking of the American people is a fundamental shift away from an economic theory that has dominated over the last eight years that says, ‘You give more to the most and hope that it trickles down for everybody else, an economic theory that basically says you’re on your own if you don’t have healthcare, you’re on your own if you don’t have a job; if you’re born into poverty, lift yourself up by your own bootstraps, you are on your own.”

“If we can cut through the nonsense and the lipstick and the pigs and the silliness, then I’m absolutely convinced that we’re going to win,” Mr. Obama said, speaking over laughter and applause.

He asked the Democratic contributors who gave $28,500 to the party’s effort to keep working and fighting in the days ahead, warning them of the close contest. “We’ve still got enormous work to do because of the enormous resistance out there – resistance because people have been fed cynicism for a long time,” Mr. Obama said. “When my opponent and the operation that they’ve put together starts feeding into that cynicism and starts feeding into that resentment, it’s not always clear which way things are going to tip.”

Mr. Obama said that he was “confident about winning because, ‘I’ve looked at John McCain, I’ve looked at Sarah Palin, I’ve looked at their agenda, and they don’t have one.”

The crowd laughed.

Source: Obama fund-raiser; Barbra Streisand, Will Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jodi Foster, Dennis Haysbert

See also:

Obama’s Hollywood fundraiser: Who was on the guest list?

Barack Obama Hollywood Fund Raiser speech video September 16, 2008 Part 1

Barack Obama Hollywood Fund Raiser speech video September 16, 2008 Part 2

Video and top photo via Towleroad -EXCLUSIVE: Barack Obama’s L.A. Fundraiser – video

Wilshire & Washington reports on Barbra Streisand’s appearance.

Streisand drew a standing ovation when she entered, starting right off with “When the Sun Comes Out,” accompanied by a small band of bass, keyboard, piano and drums.

“Did some of you have a very nice dinner?” she asked, in a mirthful tone. “Did you have dessert, or am I dessert?”

She segued to “Make Someone Happy,” with the line, “He is the answer; we know Barack is the answer.”

Cameras sprung up from the crowd, before Streisand quipped, “I thought there was no press here tonight. Hmmm. YouTube junkies.”

She followed that with “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” and “My Shining Hour.”

Barbra Streisand performs at Hollywood fundraiser for Barack Obama's Presidential campaign, September 16, 2008

Her criticism of John McCain came when she chided him for saying that Obama would raise taxes on the middle class when the candidate has proposed tax cuts.

“I woke up this morning with this slogan in my head. McCain. Palin. Change. And I thought. Change? What, from bad to worse?”

After Streisand finished, “Happy Days Are Here Again” was played as Obama took the stage, giving her a hug and a short whisper in her ear.

Source and Photo 2-3 source – Wilshire & Washington – Obama: Sober Among the Stars