By Tom Hundley
LONDON — An unusual veil of secrecy shrouded Michelle Obama’s fundraising trip here Monday evening.
The $2,300-a-head event at the Landmark Hotel was “closed to the press.” But the hotel lobby 45 minutes before the event started?
When a young campaign aide spotted a Tribune reporter chatting with a couple of enthusiastic Obama supporters, he interrupted the conversation and scolded the reporter.
“This is a private event. We have to ask you to exit the hotel,” the aide said.
The taken-aback reporter declined, pointing out that a hotel lobby is a public gathering place and that he had no intention of crashing the event. Asked why the hotel lobby had to be declared a press-free zone, the aide said something about “protecting the privacy” of the people who paid to be here.
Campaign officials were equally close-mouthed about the number of attendees, the amount of money raised, the substance of Ms. Obama’s remarks and what kind of food was served to donors.