Party for Power
Presidential aspirants Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., faced off in D.C. on Wednesday evening by holding simultaneous fundraisers aimed at young voters. How’d they do? Let’s go to the tape:
AP |
AP |
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Barack Obama |
John McCain | |
| “DC Kick-Off Event featuring Senator Barack Obama” | Title | “YP4McCain: Young Professionals” |
| Yes. $10 a pop (!). Lots of hard liquor and wine, but nary a beer to be found. | Booze |
Yes. Free. Lots of Bud Lights, and white and red wine. And cigars! |
| $100 | Cost | $75 |
| H20 nightclub on the Southwest waterfront | Location | The rooftop of Covington & Burling LLP, a few blocks from the White House |
| Aretha Franklin blaring from the speakers | Music |
McCain campaign staffer Tyler Powell playing live |
| None | Food | None |
| “People were crowded in like sardines, and it was a little hot and uncomfortable,” onesource said. And due to the $10 drinks, “there wasn’t necessarily a party atmosphere.” | Environment | Relaxed. Cool. Veteran McCain campaign staffers waxed nostalgic about old elections. |
| 500 | Number of attendees (estimated) | 350 |
| 27 | Average age (estimated) | 30 |
| Yes | Open to press? | No |
| 9:30 p.m. | Time most people left |
8:30 p.m. |
| No amount specified by the campaign by press time. | Funds raised | “I make a practice of not giving out specifics for fundraising events.” |
| Yes, if you paid enough to be a VIP or were close to the stage. |
Could you touch the candidate? |
Yes. He and his wife, Cindy, mingled with the crowd. |
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25 minutes |
said, “That’s the only kind of ethnic
joke you can laugh at.”
