George Clooney has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for
US presidential candidate Barack Obama by headlining an exclusive
event for Americans in Geneva, one of the world's most affluent
cities.
The Hollywood actor and director, fresh from the world premiere of
the Coen brothers' comedy Burn After Reading in Venice, slipped
without fanfare into the Swiss city for his first appearance on
behalf of the Democratic nominee.
Dressed in a black suit and tie, Clooney signed autographs but did
not comment as he squeezed his way past fans gathered in the narrow
streets of Geneva.
Some 170 contributors paid $1,000 a head to hear him speak at a
cocktail party held at a museum in Geneva's Old Town.
And 75 high-rolling supporters spent $10,000 each to attend an
intimate seated dinner with the 47-year-old star which followed at
the organiser's nearby apartment, according to the American lawyer
who set up the twin private events.
"Mr Clooney gave an excellent speech tonight; it was very stirring
and moving. Barack Obama is the right person to repair our
relations with the rest of the world," an American man told Reuters
Television as he left the cocktail on his way to the dinner.
An American woman said of Clooney's remarks: "Everybody who was
there was already fired up, but it only sort of affirmed what we
believe already. He definitely had his talking points down, with
great deliveries. He was very funny."
Fully subscribed
Earlier, organiser Charles Adams said on local morning radio that
the event was fully subscribed.
"Actually most of our guests for dinner are coming from elsewhere -
people are flying in from Los Angeles, Prague, London, Zurich and
so on," said Adams, who serves on Obama's National Finance
Committee.
"I personally assured George Clooney that Geneva is a city where
reserve is a way of life, that he won't be attacked by fans trying
to tear off his shirt," he told the daily Le Temps.
The two events could infuse more than $900,000 into the Democratic
war chest ahead of the November 4 election which pits the Illinois
senator against Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who is
due to be formally nominated on Wednesday.
In keeping with US laws, only American citizens were allowed to buy
tickets to the fundraiser which has had normally sober Geneva
buzzing.
The scenic city featured in Clooney's 2005 film Syriana, for
which he won a best supporting actor Oscar.
"It is the most anticipated 'people' event of the year, but also
the most discreet," Geneva daily Le Temps said.
Hollywood has long had a strong connection with US politics.
Actors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger were both elected
Republican governors of California, and Reagan went on to become
the 40th US president.
Gwyneth Paltrow currently appears in a film ad on YouTube for
Democrats Abroad, encouraging American expatriates to register and
cast their ballots.
Nearly six million Americans live abroad, including some 16,400 in
Switzerland.
About 4,500 of them reside in Geneva, known for its high-end jewellers and watchmakers, as well as its private banks catering to the very rich.
