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Jim Henson studios on LA Brea Avenue. LA Observed file photo.
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is in the Los Angeles area today for a trio of fundraisers. The first this morning is aimed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, at the Hilton in San Gabriel, with Rep. Judy Chu along for the ride. Chu is chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
This afternoon, Clinton is due in Hollywood for a fundraiser on the Jim Henson Co. lot on La Brea. That's the landmark Hollywood facility that was once the studios for Charlie Chaplin. This funder is being billed as a family celebration hosted by Henson Co. CEO Lisa Henson and her husband, David Pressler. That one sets back guests $500 for general admission, or $1,000 for an adult and one child under age 16, or $2,700 for two adults and children. There's also the usual option to pay more for a photo with Clinton.
Finally, Clinton will also attend a $2,700-per reception with Warren Buffet at the home of TV producer Karen Mack and Russell Goldsmith.
Clinton's daughter Chelsea will be the featured guest at another round of fundraisers here later this month, starting on Jan. 25 with a "conversation" at the Venice offices of architect Frank Gehry. The next day, there will be another "conversation" at the Venice home of historic Venice Lantern House compound of author and entrepreneur S. Scott Meyers.
An interesting side story to Clinton's visit: investor Ron Burkle is said to have almost nothing to do with the Clinton family these days despite his past close ties to Bill Clinton. Burkle, in fact, is co-hosting a fundraiser at Soho House in West Hollywood for Republican John Kasich. From the LA Times story:
“They never asked me for a penny,” he said of Hillary Clinton's campaign during a rare interview in his West Hollywood office that touched on his dim outlook toward Hillary as a candidate, Bill's post-presidential role with Burkle's investment firm and what, exactly, happened on those plane rides.
Burkle says he might decide in the end to back Clinton – or he might not. The billionaire who counts supermodel Gisele Bundchen among his best friends, who helped the FBI investigate a New York Post gossip columnist suspected of trying to shake him down, who jets around the globe in a private 757, says Hillary Clinton just isn't re-creating the magic of her husband.“People would expect Bill Clinton-style love and attention,” he said. “That is not going to happen with her.”
Burkle lumps Hillary Clinton in with a group of well-meaning Democratic presidential nominees who faltered. Like Al Gore and John F. Kerry — candidates Burkle robustly supported — she is brilliant but troublingly disconnected with the electorate, he says.
