Bon Jovi event hauls in $4.1M for Obama, while Richardson stumps in Latino-rich North Ward

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in Newark: Obama campaign photo

The Obama campaign organized two big events over the weekend, including a Friday fundraising party in Middletown with the Democratic presidential candidate that netted his campaign $4.1 million in one night, according to party fundraiser al DeCotiis.

"The tremendous enthusiasm and support of Jon Corzine helped make this the most successful fundraising event ever," said Al DeCotiis, who along with fellow former Clinton fundraisers Bill Harla, Michael Kempner, and John Graham, organized the Obama event with the governor.

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi sponsored the bash at his home.

A day later, Gov. Bill Richardson stumped for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the Flamboyan Manor in Newark's North Ward, making the Democratic Party’s case for an end to the Iraq War.

"We had 900 people in Newark on Saturday for Gov. Richardson, and we trained 250 activists this weekend," said Obama state director Tricia Mueller.

Richardson, at his pump-up -the-base event, targeted the Bush administration's war policy, and called for change.

"We have consistently said it’s important to bring our troops home as safely and rapidly as possible. And we can do that," Richardson told the mostly Latino crowd.

"You know why? Because $10 billion a month is spent in Iraq," Richardson added. "This is money that should go to hospitals and schools and roads here in America. $80 billion is what the Iraqi’s have made in their oil sales, they should spend that money rebuilding their own country and America should spend our money rebuilding housing, healthcare and schools."

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), Newark Mayor Cory Booker, state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr., and their constituents packed the Flamboyan, according to Andrew Poag, spokesman for the Obama campaign.

"We had 500 chairs upstairs that were full plus 200 chairs in the overflow room as well as standing room," Poag said. "By the end we had to turn folks away at the door."

"It was a very big and enthusiastic crowd - a solid program, and great start for the campaign in the North Ward and Essex County," agreed North Ward Democratic Organization chief political operative Phil Alagia.

Richardson unsuccessfully pursued the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination earlier this year. He endorsed Obama while Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) was still in the race.