Obama, Clooney Hoop It Up Before Leaving LA

New single-fundraiser record: $15 million

Following a record-setting, star-studded fundraiser at the canyon home of actor George Clooney and a pick-up basketball game with some Hollywood A-listers, President Barack Obama left Los Angeles on Friday morning.

Air Force One departed Los Angeles International Airport around 9:50 a.m. en route to Nevada.

Obama, who spent the night at the Beverly Hilton, stopped at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center for a basketball match with Clooney before leaving town. Actor Tobey Maguire and staff members also played in the game, the Associated Press reported.

Obama joked at Thursday's fundraiser that Clooney had been "talking smack about his basketball game ever since I've known him. And we've actually known each other a while."

The facility was closed to the public, and employees told NBC4 they were instructed not to come into work until 10:30 a.m. Friday, as the complex was being used for sheriff's helicopter exercise.

Thanks to the fundraiser, hosted by Dreamworkers CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, the president netted $15 million, a new record for a single fundraiser.

Guests paid $40,000 to attend, accounting for about $6 million of the evening's financial haul for Obama's campaign and the Democratic Party.

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The rest was credited to an online raffle, with an average donation of $23. Two winners and their husbands attended the event.

Chef Wolfgang Puck catered the meal for about 150 attendees. The menu included an artichoke salad followed by roasted duckling "Peking style" with tiny buns, a duo of lamb and beef cheek with potatoes and Brussels sprouts, and sweet corn tortelloni.
 
"We raised a lot of money because people love George," Obama said. "They like me; they love George."
 
Then, seriously, he added: "He seems to occupy a constant state of grace, and uses his extraordinary talents on behalf of something truly important."

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