Obama pulled in at least $1.06 million and maybe a bit more after counting those who paid at the door.
Rafiei supported John Edwards for president last year. But after spending the day as Obama’s sort-of personal assistant at the Balboa Bay Club, she was moved to say he’s probably the most magnetic candidate she’s ever seen run for the White House. And she’s met several.
“The first time I met him was in ’04 before he was elected senator,” Rafiei said, recalling they joked about their unusual names.
What’s struck her over the years is his smooth political skills.
“Some presidential candidates don’t want to take pictures, but he understands that’s part of the job. Of all I’ve worked for he’s the best,” Rafiei said. “Sen. Obama acts like a candidate when he stops running for office. By that time they’re all loose and relaxed. When they’re running they’re tense, tired, stressed, but he’s so cool, calm and collected.”
Obama’s performance before a star-studded fundraiser that included blogger and writer Arianna Huffington, Lou Gossett Jr. and NASCAR racer Tim Woods III had some Democrats crowing that the junior senator from Illinois outpaced Republican rival John McCain’s June 24 Newport Beach fundraiser.
Not quite, though. McCain also took in about $1 million. Tickets for that event were $25,000. When McCain had a fundraiser at the Island Hotel in March, he collected about $800,000.
“It’s a good event for him,” said Assemblyman Van Tran, referring to Obama’s Sunday fundraiser. But Tran, who is one of McCain’s biggest boosters in Orange County, said Orange County remains “McCain Country.”
