Clinton asks top donors to meeting with Obama

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton plan to meet next week with some of her top contributors in what a senior Clinton fundraiser said Tuesday was an attempt to calm donors who remain frustrated with Obama's campaign.

The fundraiser, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the event, said Jonathan Mantz, Clinton's national finance director, notified the former first lady's top donors about the meeting by e-mail Tuesday and urged them to attend.

The official said a number of donors have complained that Obama's campaign has not been reaching out to them and has not consulted with Clinton's fundraising team. Donors grew especially angry after learning that Obama hired Clinton's former campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, to be chief of staff to Obama's yet-to-be named running mate, the fundraiser said.

Solis Doyle stepped down as manager of Clinton's campaign in February, and was replaced by Clinton's longtime aide Maggie Williams.

The meeting is scheduled for June 26 at the Mayflower Hotel.

About 200 of Clinton's donors are expected to attend.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A senior fundraiser for Hillary Rodham Clinton says she and Barack Obama plan to meet with some of her top contributors next week to try to calm donors who remain frustrated with Obama's campaign.

The meeting is set for June 26 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington.

The fundraiser, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the event, said Jonathan Mantz, Clinton's national finance director, notified Clinton's top donors about the meeting by e-mail Tuesday and urged them to attend.

About 200 donors are expected.

The official said some of Clinton's donors have complained that Obama's campaign has not been reaching out to them and consulting them.