Obamas High-Priced Hollywood Fundraisers Attract Major Stars & Celebrities & Money

2ND UPDATE, 12:25 AM: First there wasthe $35,800-per-person fundraising dinner tonight with Will Smith hosted by his Overbrook Entertainmentproducing partner and manager James Lassiter. Then President Obama headed over to the home of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith for a somewhat lower-key event aimed at Latino supporters. He was introduced by Eva Longoria who said Obama “knows hes the president of all Americans” and that “we thank you for everything you’re doing.” Obama leaves townafter Tuesday’s Jay Leno taping. UPDATE (correcting misidentification), 8:01 p.m.: This evening’s Los Angelestraffic snarl at rush hour was just that much worse because President Barack Obama arrived atLAX on board Air Force Oneat 4:30 PM. He’s attending two Hollywood political fundraisers for the Democratic Party tonight, first at producer James Lassiter’smansion and then Melanie Griffith’s and Antonio Banderas’ home.Potus will bemaking a Tonight Show appearance with Jay Leno tomorrow before jetting out of town.According to the White House pool report,Obama first helicoptered to a landing zone in Brentwood and the motorcade made an “off-the-record” visit to Roscoes chicken and waffle house.The president ordered atthe counterfor himself (and nearby aides)the No. 9 Country Boy 3 wings with choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries ($8.90).He then started chatting with diners. I say who cares if you like Obama’s politics or not: he’s got good taste when it comes to LA’s favorite eats. Then the motorcade traveled to Hancock Park for the first fundraiser hosted by Lassiter, who is Will Smith’s production partner in Overbrook Entertainment which manages the entire Pinkett-Smith family. Here is the pool report written by the Los Angeles Times‘ Peter Nicholas: The President appeared at an intimate fund-raising dinner at the home of James and Mai Lassiter in LAs Hancock Park area. He spoke softly to guests sitting at four tables, 8-10 seats per table. Tickets cost $35,800 per person. Actor Will Smith, looking dapper in a three piece suit, stood near the back of the room and watched. Boston Celtics nemesis Magic Johnson sat at a table to the presidents right. Some quotes about the campaign. Ive said this before this election will not be as sexy as the first one, the president said. Back then it was still fresh and new. I didnt have any gray hair. Everybody loved the Hope posters and all that. This time its weve got to grind it out a little bit. Weve got to grind it out. But the cause is the same. And my passion is the same. And my commitment is the same. The president talked about his new mortgage refinance program. Consumers who refinance at lower rates would then have more money to shop, go to Wills movies and patronize Magics businesses. Smith and Johnson laughed appreciatively. Potus repeated a theme from past fund-raising appearances — that hes accomplished a lot, but needs a second term to finish the job. Weve made great progress but weve got so much more work to do, he said. Obviously in Washington, the politics that I think people are hoping for is not what theyre getting. Its still dysfunctional. Its still perversely partisan. Pool was ushered out after 10 minutes, as potus opened it up for questions. As we slithered out, potus asked if wed gotten any of the chicken from his earlier stop at Roscoes. Reuters Jeff Mason assured him that there was pizza waiting for us outside. Pool is holding contentedly near the Lassiters lighted backyard pool, enjoying a cool LA breeze and snacking on individual-size pizzas. Next stop was Antonio Banderas’ and Melanie Griffith’s home.Still waitingfor the White House pool report: FYI: I initially misidentified James Lassiter asDisney/Pixar’s John Lasseter. Mea culpa, this is what happens when I’ve been sick all night… I become a moron.