Posted on: Saturday, January 8, 2005
Obama to raise funds with state Democrats
By Frank Oliveri
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — The Hawai'i Democratic Party needs money, so they made a wish upon a star.
wai'i. The committee, Aloha Night with Obama Committee, is required to split proceeds equally between Obama and the party.
Obama gained the spotlight with his speech at the Democratic National Convention. His victory in Illinois was one of the few bright spots for Democrats on Nov. 2.
Federal Election Commission records show that the committee hasn't raised any money to date, but Democrats in Hawai'i have high hopes.
The idea to create a fund-raising committee was brought up to Obama by Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, at a Dec. 16 fund-raiser at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Abercrombie went to school with Obama's father, according to Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs.
"They said at the time that they wanted to help us, and Sen. Obama committed to helping the Democratic Party raise money," Gibbs said. "This was the easiest way to do that and conform to federal law."
Mike Slackman, spokesman for Abercrombie, said: "Democrats in Hawai'i are very interested in Barack Obama. He really is considered a son of Hawai'i and he is one of the party's stars. It is natural to have him as a headliner."
Besides, "I don't think I'm spilling any secrets here," Slackman said. "The Democratic Party in Hawai'i needs money."
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., the Democratic Party's newest star — and a native of the state — has agreed to form a fund-raising committee with the Democratic Party of Ha-
Barack Obama
