Would You Pay $1,000 to Meet a Celebrity? Obama Supporters Can...

President Obama's 2012 campaign launched their "Speakers Series" last July, giving top campaign donors a chance to attend discussions with Obama campaign and White House insiders like Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarret, David Plouffe, Robert Gibbs and David Axelford. How much does it cost to hear such esteemed beltway veterans? $5,000 a year, or $1,000 per event, notes the Wall Street Journal on Monday.

But if that was not enticing enough to get donors to whip out their check books, campaign officials have provided the names of 40 additional participants in the series, including beltway insiders, "Democratic political stars," and celebrities (1 percenters) like Warren Buffet, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, singers Alicia Keys and James Taylor, and actresses Melanie Griffith and Eva Longoria.

The Journal reports that Republicans have complained about the appearance of government officials like EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Energy Secretary Steven Chu, at the blatant campaign events. White House and campaign aides say administration officials have obeyed laws separating campaign and governing duties, and travel and speaking is done on speakers own time without any government money.

The Obama campaign blew away individual GOP challengers in third quarter fundraising, raking in over $42,000,000.

According to the story, "White House and campaign aides say administration officials have obeyed laws separating campaign and governing duties.”