Obama continues his quest to court Hillary’s blue-collar base with a star-studded fundraiser in California. <a href=”http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/07/_obama_at_fundraiser_in_newpor.html“>An excerpt from the pool report:

Fundraiser at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. Obama spent about 45 minutes in a private part of the fundraiser, then gave remarks at reception that we all saw. $28,500 for VIP tickets, $2300 to attend the main reception. … After we entered, Jordan Farmar, the Lakers guard was talking about Obama, but Karen Bass, the speaker of the House of the state, formally introduced him.No news. At the beginning of his remarks, Obama said, “I’m still looking for my mimosa,” as many of the several hundred people in this ballroom were holding drinks. (There were small, tall tables, but chairs only in the back and people crowded into the front of my room, fruit and some others snacks were the food.) So someone handed the candidate a Mimosa, which amused him. He had a sip, then put it down, said “I was joking,” before declaring himself “more of a Bloody Mary” guy.