Politics
Gay marriage: Clooney fundraiser rakes in $15 million for Obama
George Clooney and President Barack Obama. PHOTO/Christy Bowe/Landmark Media
President Obama’s decision to go public in support of same-sex marriage marked a historic moment for the presidency and the nation’s gay and lesbian community – and also set off a torrent of fundraising appeals that could change the fundraising math for this fall’s presidential race.
“Obviously yesterday we made some news,” President Obama told US$40,000-a-plate guests at a fundraiser at the home of George Clooney in Studio City, Calif., on Thursday. The event raised nearly US$15 million, expected to be a record.
Obama’s statement supporting marriage equality for all couples fulfills a longstanding demand of a critical group of donors – the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community. On Monday, the president is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser in New York sponsored by gay and Latino supporters. On June 6, he heads back to Los Angeles for a LGBT gala, which organizers say quickly exceeded its 700-person limit after the president’s announcement.
Gay activists are prominent players in the Obama 2012 campaign.
