Inauguration day expected to draw San Francisco politicos
By: Brent Begin
Examiner Staff Writer
December 31, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO — The Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama is just weeks away, and while many San Franciscans used their political clout to attend, others are buying their way.
Mayor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, will be attending the inauguration as guests of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Former Mayor Willie Brown is also expected to attend.
District Attorney Kamala Harris, an early supporter of Obama, will be attending the event — though she wouldn’t say who provided the invitation.
“I am proud to have been able to join so many of my fellow Americans in supporting his campaign,” Harris said. “I am incredibly hopeful about what our new president will be able to achieve with all of our help.”
For those unwilling to brave the crush of The Mall and who may not have the kind of political connections to get an invitation, there is another way.
More than $1.3 million in contributions for the inauguration have come from San Francisco residents. The maximum donation comes with VIP treatment. Tickets to the inauguration are guaranteed and entrance to the many balls and parties are part of the package. Individuals are allowed to give up to $50,000 and groups of donors are allowed to contribute up to $300,000.
San Francisco theater producer Carole Shorenstein Hays and her husband, Jeffrey Hays, both contributed $50,000 to the event and are assured a prime seat for the show.
Robert D. Haas, who stepped down as chairman of the board of Levi Strauss and Co. in February, contributed the maximum amount. Mitch Kapor, co-founder of Lotus Software, also gave $50,000.
San Francisco venture capitalist Mark Gorenberg, who now serves on Obama’s national finance committee, raised another $275,000 for the inauguration and city resident Christopher Sacca, another venture capitalist with links to Google, raised $250,000.
For those left in The City, several events are planned. Outgoing Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who also chairs the local Democratic Party, is hosting a private event in the Green Room of the War Memorial Opera House.
