Former state Democratic chairman Wade Smith raised big bucks for Barack Obama this week.

Smith, a leading Raleigh defense attorney, hosted a fund raiser at his home, featuring Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett. She was introduced by Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, Rob Christensen reports.

Among those attending were former Gov. Jim Hunt.

Smith said it was one of the largest and most enthusiastic fund raisers he has ever held with well over 100 people jammed into house. But he was not certain how much was raised.

The event was organized by John Crumpler, a Raleigh businessman, long active in Democratic politics.

Admission was $1,000 per person. But to be a host a person had either give or agree to raise $10,000 for the Obama Victory Fund.

After the jump, a list of the hosts.

   Comments (1)

David Plouffe was in town today.

The campaign manager for Barack Obama said he was helping organize and raise money for the upcoming May 6 primary, Rob Christensen reports.

"North Carolina could end up being very important in the nomination fight," he told Dome.

Interviewed at a fundraiser in the law offices of David Kirby in Raleigh, Plouffe said that the primary is only nine weeks away and Obama campaign needs to begin organizing in the state as soon as possible.

He said the trip today was not about courting John Edwards, although he acknowledged the campaign is interested in the former North Carolina senator's endorsement.

Plouffe said that there is a very good chance that North Carolina could be in play in the general election as well, if Obama is the nominee. No Democratic presidential candidate has won North Carolina since 1976.

He also had an organizational meeting at the headquarters of Raleigh public relations firm Capstrat, which is headed by Ken Eudy, an Obama supporter.

Steve Lerner, an investor and friend of Eudy's, was escorting Plouffe today.

Not many Tar Heels got close to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama during a visit Thursday.

As Rob Christensen reports, the Illinois senator made no public appearances and gave no interviews. That's because he was attending fundraisers, and campaign aides generally think news coverage dilutes the draw of a $1,000-a-plate dinner.

But one former North Carolinian got close to Obama: Reggie Love.

The former Duke University football and basketball player has accompanied Obama on his travels, according to a deputy press secretary for his campaign, although she said an attendee's description of him as a "bodyguard" was inaccurate.

Love also attended Obama's fundraiser at the home of investor Steve Lerner. Apparently, the long-rumored rule about Dukies not going to Chapel Hill does not apply to former players.

Barack Obama is coming to John Edwards' backyard.

On June 14, the Illinois senator will host a big-ticket fundraiser in Chapel Hill, home of the former North Carolina senator.

The event is being hosted by Steve Lerner, an investor who previously supported Virginia Gov. Mark Warner's presidential bid.

Lerner was one of three principals in FGI Marketing Communications, which was bought by Capital Strategies in 1999.

Other hosts of the reception include CapStrat CEO Ken Eudy, jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and SAS co-founder John Sall.

Tickets are $1,000 for the general reception, and $2,300 for the host reception.

Correction: A previous version of this post misstated Lerner's occupation.