Fundraising Ideas

Barack Obama continues to build fundraising momentum with the announcement that Oprah Winfrey will host a fundraiser for the candidate at her home in Santa Barbara, California.

The queen of talk has used her magic to turn unknown authors into bestsellers and now it’s Obama’s turn to reap the publicity buzz. The September event was practically an instant sellout despite a hefty ticket price of $2,300 per person.

Gotta love that “O” fundraising power!

Just ran across a funny blog traffic promo that I just had to join!

Besides the penguin pirates, there’s a growing list of blogs worth reading that a group of bloggers are sharing. I’ll be updating my list daily as the promo gets rolling.

Meanwhile, here’s the penguin pirates and the list:

101 Blogs Worth Reading (a work in progress…)

Web Site Traffic Marketing Tips - It’s all about the traffic baby!

Stay tuned for more blogs worth reading!

In a sign that political fundraising can’t get much stranger, Hillary Clinton’s campaign is turning a Washington Post article about her cleavage into a fundraising appeal.

Apparently, the Post’s fashion writer, Robin Givhan, noted that Clinton wore a black top with a low neckline during an appearance on the Senate floor. And of course, that turned into a brouhaha about the objectification of women and America’s cultural fascination with breasts.

Frankly, I don’t give a fig about Hillary’s cleavage, but you have to admire the fund raising savvy of her campaign adviser, Ann Lewis, who is urging potential donors to “take a stand against this kind of coarseness and pettiness in American culture.”

Why? Because controversy stirs emotions and gets people to take action to support their beliefs. And that’s what campaign fundraisers are paid to do - stir things up and get people donating to their candidate.

I don’t know if Hillary’s cleavage will become a hot button issue in this campaign, but we all know it’s an issue that appeals to women and women are a big part of the turnout in primary elections.

Look for Hillary to ride the cleavage coattails as far as she can.

Read more fundraising ideas.

HILL ‘N’ BILL HITTIN UP THE HAMPTONS

Hillary Clinton will be dragging hubby Bill on a blowout fund-raising tour of the Hamptons next weekend that could add $1 million to her presidential war chest.

Revlon mogul Ron Perelman will be hosting a Saturday-evening cocktail party where, for $1,000, guests can meet the dynamic duo and gawk at the tycoon’s luxury home and celebrity pals. For $4,600, the maximum contribution allowed under federal rules, guests can attend a dinner with the pair.

Democratic consultant Morris Reid will host a Friday-night barbecue, hoping to attract a younger, hipper crowd. A cool $250 secures admission, and $1,000 buys entrance to a special VIP function and a souvenir photo with the Clintons.

For $5,000, you can join the “host committee,” says Reid, “and get as much face and photo time with them as you want.”

Rudy Giuliani is also raising money in the Hamptons, co-chairing a Southampton hospital gala Saturday.

“You can be sure he will be inviting guests back for a hot dog and barbecue,” said Hamptons magazine editor R. Couri Hay.