Wednesday's giant state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife- the biggest ever thrown by Barack and Michelle Obama -- dished up a potent mix of celebrity glam, corporate heft and political money under a giant party tent on the South Lawn. It is an election year, after all.

The entertainment lineup also included a little something special for both couples: The Obamas are big admirers of Grammy-winner John Legend, and David and Samantha Cameron are huge fans of Mumford&Sons, a British folk rock band also performing.

Obama, for his part, also is a big fan of "Homeland" actor Damian Lewis, who said on his way into the huge party tent that he planned to ask the president how he ever finds time to watch TV.

Among the 360 people who scored golden tickets to the dinner were actor George Clooney, billionaire Warren Buffett, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, businessman Richard Branson, Apple's Jony Ive and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, a big fundraiser for Obama's re-election campaign.

The White House made sure there was a seat at the table for more than 30 of Obama's top fundraisers -- the so-called bundlers who have helped raise at least $50,000 for the president's re-election effort.

An Associated Press review found that a number of coveted seats went to supporters who have raised between $200,000 and $500,000 for Obama, and at least nine went to donors who have raised more than a half-million dollars for his campaign. They include Weinstein, New York financier Orin Kramer and Miami public policy consultant Joseph Falk.
http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57397743&feed_id=3&videofeed=39

All these lavish parties and dinners our presidents have really piss me off. They have these things at our expense and we have no say in the matter. We elect people to office to work for us, not party on our dime. When I think of the U.S. government George Orwells Animal Farm comes to mind.

Nothin new...

State dinners are part of the Dance of Nations.

Would you have Obama sit on the wall because you don't like him?