by John McCormick

Gathered in a Chicago hotel ballroom, the 100 or so students had come from across the nation to learn from some of the top names in the business: Solomont, Kearney, Barzun.

While not household names, they are some of the top players in the presidential money game, where the bundling of contributions by elite fundraisers is an essential part in financing the growing cost of national campaigns.

The three instructors, plus others, spoke at "Obama University." The training program is designed to expand an already massive fundraising operation that raised $79 million during the first three quarters of the year for Sen. Barack Obama, keeping him competitive with Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

With titles like "Hunting vs. Farming," "Segmenting your Donors," and "Four Ways to Raise Money," the sessions offered tips of the trade for bundlers, who ask friends, family and business associates to contribute to their candidate. They also were briefed on Obama's central speaking points, as well as upcoming fundraising initiatives like one called "Project Give Again."

The Tribune was offered an exclusive glimpse inside the one-day session earlier this week. As the veterans spoke to the rookies, it at times felt like a motivational meeting for a sales group, sort of Amway goes to Washington.

See the story in this morning's Tribune.