Obama, Clinton Joint Appearance in McLean Brings in $3 million

The inaugural dual campaign appearance by President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton in McLean garnered $3 million for the president's reelection campaign.

Cesar del Aguila, chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee announced the fundraising total Sunday night at the party's major fundraising event.

President Obama spent nearly four hours in McLean April 29 with Clinton as they met and mingled at their first joint fundraiser at the home of their mutual friend Terry McAuliffe, his wife Dorothy and four of their five children.

Guests paid between $1,000 and $25,000 to see two presidents together in the McAuliffe’s backyard. The evening included a reception plus dinner.

"That's huge for President Obama. . . Only Terry could have gotten President Obama and President Clinton at his home in Virginia," del Aguila said after the event. "He's a magical person --- absolutely an inspiration. Terry inspires Democrats and he inspires me."

McAuliffe, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, said 625 people attended the sold out gathering.

"It was such a unique event two have two presidents," he said.

A reception kicked off the backyard event where Obama, Clinton and McAuliffe talked with the crowd under a white tent.

After guest attending the reception, about 80 others joined Obama, Clinton and McAuliffe for dinner inside the former DNC chair’s home.

During dinner, the two presidents answered questions from their guests for nearly two hours, McAuliffe explained.

The fact that Obama and Clinton kicked off the first of their four joint appearances in Virginia underscores  "the importance of Virginia," McAuliffe said.

In 2008, Obama became the first Democrat in 44 years to carry Virginia. Virginia is now viewed by both parties as one of about 12 battleground states in the 2012 presidential campaign.

Virginia's importance is heightened by the fierce Senate race between former Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and former governor and former senator George Allen.

McAuliffe is widely expected to run for governor next year. He lost in a three-way battle for the Democratic nomination four years ago.