Fund-raisers take in about $2M for Obama campaign

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama took in about $2 million Monday night during a series of fund-raisers in Chicago and Milwaukee.

Obama hit three fund-raisers in downtown Chicago. Two were at the Standard Club. The third was at Powerhouse Restaurant.

The Obama campaign is concerned enough about recent polls showing Wisconsin voters equally divided between him and GOP nominee John McCain that Obama made a speech in Green Bay and his wife, Michelle, made a series of stops in Madison, Wausau and suburban Milwaukee Monday.

Michelle Obama attended a fund-raiser at a private home in Fox Point, Wis., at which the hostess said her group raised $320,000 for the campaign.

In Chicago, Obama attended an event at the Standard Cub at which 500 people paid $1,500 each to see him. Then, there was a more intimate reception for high-rollers who paid $28,500 each.

The same high ticket price was charged to a mostly Greek-American crowd assembled by Obama’s friend, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Powerhouse Restaurant.

Former California State Treasurer Phil Angelides was among those on hand to hear Obama tell stories about his basketball bouts with Giannoulias, whom he insists on playing on Election Days for luck.

Obama tailored his message to the well-heeled crowds, saying what he characterized as the Bush Administration’s reward-the-wealthy policies were not necessarily in the long-term interests of the wealthy.

“Anything goes . . . trickle down (economics) aren't good for the top either,” he said, while acknowledging that many of those in his audience are well-off themselves. “This country works best when it works for all of us.”

Obama leaves for Florida Tuesday to make a speech in Dunedin and then plans to spend a few days studying up for Friday night’s first debate with McCain.