DNC Fundraiser Raises $1 Million Despite Protests

Jim Burroway

June 26th, 2009

According to The Advocate, about 25 protesters met DNC invitees as they gathered for the LGBT Leadership Caucus’s DNC Fundraiser Thursday night:

Despite the controversy, about 180 people showed up to hear Vice President Joe Biden speak for a price tag of $1,000 to $30,400 per plate. The event brought in nearly $1 million, up from about $750,000 last year, according to a Democratic Party source.

But the scene was not one of total discord between inside and outside. Some DNC staffers working the event were also wearing red, white, and blue “265” buttons as a reminder of the number of gay and lesbian service members who have been discharged from the military since President Barack Obama took office.

When Vice President Joe Biden took the stage, he told the crowd that he had specifically asked to speak at the event and that his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, had also requested to address a Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network event earlier this month.

“I am not unaware of the controversies swirling around this dinner,” Biden said, “swirling around the speed — or lack thereof — that we\’re moving on issues that are of great importance to you and, quite frankly, to me and to the President and to millions of Americans.”

Update: The Washington Blade has video coverage:

TomChicago

June 26th, 2009

I’m getting a whiff in the air of “What do we say and what do we do and what is the difference between the two?”

penguinsaur

June 26th, 2009

Is this supposed to be like the white house correspondents dinner were they invite abunch of comedians and everyone tells jokes? Because I never thought Biden would tell a JOKE this hilarious:
“we’re moving on issues that are of great importance to you and, quite frankly, to me and to the President and to millions of Americans.”

Christopher Waldrop

June 26th, 2009

It’s not enough. The fact that Obama and Biden are willing to at least acknowledge a controversy that Bush would have ignored is something, but without action it’s window dressing.

GreenEyedLilo

June 26th, 2009

I liked that some people inside wore those “265” buttons. Otherwise, I am amazed that people can be so masochistic.

Bruce Garrett

June 26th, 2009

Be nice to see a breakdown of where the money actually came from. I’m wondering specifically if the bulk of it came in the form of individual donations or donations made from our ersatz gay rights organizations, (such as the Human Rights Campaign).

I can’t verify this as yet, but a commenter on SLOG stated they made the same claim of over a million dollars in donations at last year’s event and on later examination the actual figure turned out to be less the 800 grand.

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