Governor makes a cameo at Democratic fundraiser

Stop me if you've heard this one before. A governor walks into a fundraiser…

But the crowd at this particular San Francisco Democratic Party fundraiser got a bit more than they expected Wednesday when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger briefly crashed their party.

Spokesman Aaron McLear confirmed the governor took the mic at the San Francisco Democratic Party Central Committee's  Onward to Victory Gala Fund Raiser at the Fairmont Hotel Wednesday. But he had a good excuse — Willie Brown asked him to.

Schwarzenegger was in town for the dinner celebrating the President's  Cup, the PGA tour event that is taking place at San Francisco's Harding Park Golf Course this weekend.  Schwarzenegger is an honorary co-chairman of the event. 

"He cancelled his appearance at the opening ceremonies to meet with the Big 5 (Wednesday)," McLear said. "But he was in San Francisco for the dinner."

As it turns out, the PGA event was in the same hotel as the Democratic Central Committee fundraiser, and Brown asked his friend, the governor, to stop by.

"He went to meet Willie at the event, and Willie asked him to say a few words," said McLear.

Sources at the Democratic fundraiser say the governor made a couple of quips about bipartisanship, including an old joke he uses about the bipartisan nature of his marriage. The governor was received warmly by some. Others in the crowd booed throughout the speech.

Some didn't even stay to hear. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano walked out of the room as soon as the governor began to speak, sources tell Capitol Weekly. Other elected officials in the audience, including Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, sat and listened to the governor's remarks. 

According to the San Francisco Democratic Party's Web site , "Funds raised at the gala will directly support our voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities to ensure that we elect a Democratic governor in 2010. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $10,000 and beyond, and Individual Tickets are $150."

You can view the Gala invitation here.