http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-boasts-star-quality-as-paltrow-leads-the-expat-club-937009.htmlUK Democrats include acting royalty and celeb chefs. Republicans can muster only an Iowan with a moustache
It promises to be one of the most sought-after tickets in London this week: a sumptuous banquet for guests including Gwyneth Paltrow, Al Gore, River Cafe chef Ruth Rogers and Joshua Berger, president of Warner Brothers UK. The select few who are eligible to attend will have to pay $10,000 (£5,450) a head for lunch. The reason for all the excitement? Barack Obama.
The Democratic presidential candidate will not be at the dinner in Whitehall himself next Thursday. But since he won the nomination, the UK branch of Democrats Abroad has seen a stampede of cool, British-based Americans keen to support their man from afar. In coming weeks they will host one of the most glamorous lunches London society has seen; hold ticket-only screenings of US candidate debates at the prestigious Bafta members' cinema; and put on a comedy night at the Soho Theatre, while younger disciples can attend a slew of "speakeasy" drinking nights.
But while the Democrats make headlines and raise funds with a high celebrity and glamour factor, who are the Republicans using to woo the expatriate electorate? A former party chairman and secretary of veteran affairs.