The great and good of Tinseltown, each of whom paid $40,000 for the privilege,
arrived in a fleet of black limousines, Bentleys and Porsches.
Actress Reese Witherspoon’s luxurious residence had been considered as a venue
for Mr Obama’s most high profile Hollywood love-in so far, but Mr Clooney’s
was considered a “better fit” by presidential aides.
Mr Clooney’s two-floor, 7,354-square-foot home has six bedrooms and six
bathrooms, a wine cellar and popcorn machine.
In the driveway guests were greeted by a sign saying “Pot-bellied pig
Crossing,” which referred to the actor’s late pet, Max. Once inside,
they saw his private 3D cinema, and a pair of President John F Kennedy’s
ties, which he keeps on his wall.
Dinner was served on the star’s private basketball court where 14 round
tables, decorated with blue hydrangeas, were placed under a tent with a
transparent roof lighted with hanging white paper lanterns.
The host himself sat with his girlfriend Stacy Kiebler on a table in the
middle, his hands folded as if in prayer, while he was lauded for his
largesse by the commander-in-chief. The presidential tribute, even by
Hollywood standards, was gushing.
Mr Obama said: “I want to thank Clooney for letting us use his basketball
court. We raised a lot of money because everybody loves George. They like
me, they love him. And rightfully so. He seems to occupy a constant state of
grace, and uses his extraordinary talents on behalf of something truly
important.”
The president joked that his famed “Hope” poster from the 2008
campaign was derived from a photograph of himself and Mr Clooney, and that
it was “the first time George Clooney has ever been photo-shopped out
of a picture.”
He also talked about getting wrinkles and grey hair, adding: “George
doesn’t have to go through these things.” Mr Clooney shouted “Look
at me!” and the president replied: “I like that in you, brother.”
Mr Obama was also applauded as he spoke about his decision to endorse gay
marriage earlier in the week. He said: “The truth is it was a logical
extension of what America is supposed to be.”
If he had been in any doubt how the move was received among his financial
supporters in Hollywood, on his way to dinner his motorcade passed a sign on
a mansion reading “Yay Gay.”
The dinner raised $6 million from ticket sales. It broke previous presidential
fundraising records because it brought in another $9 million from an online
sweepstake offering two pairs of seats for “dinner with Barack and
George,” along with air fares. Entry was just $3.
Winners of the political equivalent of Willy Wonka’s golden tickets were Beth
Topinka, a science teacher from New Jersey, and Karen Blutcher, the mother
of a five-year-old son with Down syndrome, both of whom brought their
husbands as dates.
Mr Obama spent four hours, instead of his usual one for a fundraising event,
chatting to stars and movie executives. He moved between tables telling some
guests about his favourite TV shows, including ‘The Wire’.
His rapturous reception marked a resurgence of support after some influential
figures in the entertainment industry had expressed disappointment over his
first term handling of issues including Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Mr Obama spent the night at a hotel and then met up again with Mr Clooney and
“Spider-Man” star Tobey Maguire in the morning to play basketball.
Kirsten Kukowski, the Republican National Committee spokeswoman, said Mr
Obama’s closeness to movie stars would backfire.
She said: “We want someone who will keep their nose to the grindstone,
who will create jobs, rather than spend all this time trying to be BFF’s
with George Clooney.”
But outside Mr Clooney’s house neighbours, who had gathered to catch a glimpse
of the president, had no such reservations.
Shelly Cohen, 63, was walking her King Charles Spaniel which is named “Clooney”
after the actor. She said: “You never think you’re going to have the
president on your doorstep. It’s absolutely thrilling. George Clooney is
very popular around here.”
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