It’s like Karl Rove is running their campaign:

Barack Obama has planned appearances at back-to-back Beverly Hills fundraisers Tuesday evening, with the events on track to raise more than $9 million combined, possibly breaking the single-day fundraising record.

Anybody want to bet Steve Schmidt can’t turn that into a laugh-out-loud campaign ad by Wednesday morning? And here’s a juicy tidbit:

Fear is also a great motivator. With the rapid rise of rival Sen. John McCain in the national polls over the past week and the hubbub surrounding his vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a renewed sense of urgency has gripped Democrats.
“People are really scared that McCain is gaining,” said a Hollywood politico involved with Tuesday’s fundraiser. “In my 20 years here, I have never seen folks write checks like this.”

I love the smell of panicky Democrats in the morning! (Hat tip: Jammie Wearing Fool.)