| Celebrity bash raises $7.5 million for Kerry |
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JBJ was there, too
Praising the Democratic ticket and sharply criticizing President Bush, celebrities helped the campaign of John Kerry and John Edwards -- or "the kid" as Whoopi Goldberg called the newest addition to the team -- get about $7.5 million richer.
At a star-studded fund raiser, the comedian greeted Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry, and then peered into the crowd looking for Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth. "And where's the kid? Where's young Mr. Edwards? And, where's my girl, where's my girl? Stand up, miss girl."
Teasing Kerry, Goldberg said: "Not that you're not youthful. You're very youthful, John. But he's youthful. He looks like he's 18!"
The running mates, on their first campaign swing together since Kerry picked Edwards as his vice presidential hopeful on Tuesday, attended the Democratic bash at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan.
Taking the stage at the end of the evening, Edwards said: "Whoopi Goldberg said earlier tonight that she was afraid she wasn't going to get a phone call to be here." Then, he added the punch line: "I can relate to that."
Kerry joined in: "John Edwards thinks he was worried he wasn't going to get a phone call. I was worried I wasn't going to get anybody at home!"
Ticket prices for the evening started at $250 for the concert alone to $25,000 for the concert and a reception. The show was sold out with 5,500, though not every donor attended.
The money raised from Thursday's concert will be divided between Kerry's campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Last month, a similar concert in Los Angeles raised $5 million.
Musician Jon Bon Jovi opened Thursday's event, saying, "The beginning of the future starts right here tonight." Then he launched into the Beatles' 1969 optimistic melody "Here Comes The Sun." Actress Meryl Streep welcomed the new team: "President Kerry. Vice President Edwards ... Oops! I got ahead of myself."
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Related URL: http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/09/kerry.concert.ap/index.html
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