Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders threw dollar bills at Hillary Clinton's motorcade Saturday as it approached the Studio City home of actor George Clooney, where a big-money fundraiser was held for her presidential campaign.
The first three lines from the 1933 song commonly known as "We're in the Money'' could be heard on speakers at a nearby house where a pro-Sanders counter-fundraiser was being held as the motorcade drove by.
While the maximum individual contribution under federal law to a candidate seeking a party's presidential nomination is $2,700, Sunday's $33,400 per person fundraiser was permissible because it benefited a joint fundraising committee, benefiting Clinton's presidential campaign, the Democratic National Committee and 33 state Democratic parties.
The price was based on the $33,400 maximum amount an individual can contribute to a national party committee in a year. Individuals contributing and raising a total of $353,400 got two seats at the head table with Clinton and Clooney, the Oscar-winning actor and producer, and his wife Amal, an attorney.
Howard Gold, a neighbor of Clooney, hosted a $27 per person fundraiser in support of Sanders, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, according to The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper that covers Congress, the White House and federal campaigns.
Gold, whose family founded the 99 Cents Only store chain, dubbed his event the "99% Party,'' The Hill reported. The email invitation to the party read, "Swimming pools, Movie Stars and merriment for all! This is happening right next door to Clooney's party for Hillary!'' according to The Hill.
Sanders has repeatedly said the average contribution to his campaign is $27.
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In an interview for Sunday's broadcast of NBC's public affairs program "Meet the Press,'' host Chuck Todd asked Clooney if he agreed with the claim by the Sanders campaign that the $353,400 cost for two tickets to the head table was "an obscene amount of money.'' Clooney said he agreed.
"The Sanders campaign when they talk about it is absolutely right. It's ridiculous we should have this amount of money in politics,'' Clooney said. Clooney said the money is necessary to get Democrats elected.
Sanders' campaign was scheduled to run a television commercial at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday in the Los Angeles market, promoting his $27 average contribution. The commercial is Sanders' first to run in California, which will hold its primary on June 7.
The dinner at Clooney's house was Clinton's second fundraiser on Saturday. Her first was an afternoon reception in Koreatown. The former secretary of state also spoke to supporters at Los Angeles Southwest College earlier in the day.
There was no immediate response from the Clinton campaign to a request for comment.
Copyright City News Service
