Obama Raises Cash for Reid, Touts Sotomayor Pick
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: President Obama attended a fundraiser for Senate Majority leader Harry Reid’s reelection campaign Tuesday night in Ceaser’s Palace in Las Vegas.
The event — which aides said raked in $2 million for the senator — featured performances by Bette Midler, Sheryl Crow, Rachel Yamagata, and comedian Rita Rudner.
The president used the platform to not only pitch for Sen. Reid but also to pitch for his newly chosen Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
"Today I nominated a brilliant individual to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Sotomayor," the president said. "This is a woman who will bring more experience on the bench than anyone currently serving on the Supreme Court. She graduated the top of her class at Princeton, editor of the law journal at Yale, prosecutor in the Manhattan DA’s office, corporate litigator, six years a trial judge on the U.S. District Court, her 11th year on the U.S. Court of Appeals — the second highest court in the land. Nobody can say she’s not qualified to be on the Supreme Court."
As he did at her nomination announcement in the East Room, the president touted Sotomayor’s life journey, being raised in the South Bronx and making her way though school.
"Sonia Sotomayor’s life is proof that all things are possible and when she ascends those marble steps to assume her seat on the highest court of the land, America will take another important step toward realizing the ideal that is chiseled above its entrance. Equal justice under the law. So I am inspired by her, I am honored to nominate her."
The president used the stage to again call for her quick confirmation in the Senate.
"I know that Harry Reid and others in the senate will make sure that she is confirmed as our next Supreme Court justice. And I know that because Harry has just as an improbable story."
The president — who attended a $2,400 VIP reception in addition to the fundraiser — spoke at length about Sen. Reid’s dedication to Nevada and to the United States.
"In the last few years, Harry has done an extraordinary job as leader of the U.S. Senate, and that’s not easy by the way," Obama said mentioning that the last majority leader, Trent Lott’s book was called "Herding Cats", "and "that’s what dealing with the Senate is all about, it’s not easy."
The president accentuated Sen. Reid’s humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nev.
"(He)still makes decisions and chooses his battles based on the values he was raised on," Obama said, "and that’s why we need to keep Harry Reid exactly where he is — as leader of the U.S. Senate."
The president played up the partnership that he sees with Sen. Reid in the Senate.
"Because I am president, it’s hard to get things done if you don’t have some great allies in Congress, part of what I appreciate about Harry is also that he just knows how to get things done," Obama said, mentioning that Reid played a role in the legislative accomplishments of his administration so far — the recovery package, SCHIP, and credit card reform.
"As long as I’m president I want him to be my majority leader," the president concluded.
Mr. Obama said being back in Las Vegas reminded him of all the time he spent in the city during the campaign. Except, he joked, there’s a bit of an upgrade when he came back as the president, not just a Senator.
"I thought I had a good room at Ceasers, but now that I am president they upgraded me, they have been stashing away a really nice room. Its like one of those high roller rooms. And now I have it because I am president."
– Sunlen Miller
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Did Obama make any comments on one Ms Nancy Pelosi? As long as he’s president does he still want her to be the speaker? Hmm.
Posted by: Jim | May 27, 2009, 8:22 am 8:22 am
Yep, Harry was humble.. being born in a log cabin (that he built with his own two hands).. but after being catapulted to D.C., the gold and silver mining companies(among the worst polluters in the U.S.) have made him wealthy.
It is pitiful, cap and trade is being pushed by politicians who want to look the other way when their own financiers act irresponsibly.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 27, 2009, 8:27 am 8:27 am
If anyone questions this dealership closing scandal google it, and sit back and wait.
Corruption that would be front page news had a republican dared to do something like this will go unreported in the corrupt Obama media.
Posted by: MNM | May 27, 2009, 8:51 am 8:51 am
If you donated to republicans, or a small number of Obama competitors in the dem party, you LOST YOUR LIFE WORK, INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS AND WERE FORCED INTO BANKRUPTCY.
————-
Obama will be proud that this is exposed. He knows it will deter donations to republicans and serve as another warning to anyone who crosses him.
Third world dictator indeed.
Remember his arrogant threat when the chrysler investors did now want to get screwed
“I do not stand with them”
and from his henchmen in the whitehouse
“we will have the whitehouse press corp destroy you if you don’t go along with this”
Even Obama knows the whitehouse press corp are complete lapdogs for him and not newsmen and newswomen anymore.
Posted by: Nobama | May 27, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am
MNM
The POTUS is a typical politician.. he may be slightly more quid pro quo than some, but then he was a long shot candidate.. making him even more pliable to suit his ends. This particular debacle isn’t unprecedented.. but, such opportunities for shameless feather bedding haven’t been available in recent decades.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 27, 2009, 9:00 am 9:00 am
Nobama:”Obama will be proud that this is exposed. He knows it will deter donations to republicans ”
Exposed? Wow, another ranting conspiracy theory with no basis in any possible fact… Gee, why won’t the MSM report this?!?!?
Posted by: jhw539 | May 27, 2009, 9:13 am 9:13 am
Russia Fears Korea Conflict Could Go Nuclear
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 26: North Koreans are seen during a ceremony to celebrate the nation’s underground nuclear test, in Pyongyang, North Korea.
MOSCOW — Russia is taking precautionary security measures because it fears tensions over North Korea’s atomic test could descend into nuclear war, news agencies quoted an official as saying on Wednesday.
Yep lets raise more money for the spineless, “I SURRENDER” ” the war is Lost” REID.. I always wanted to learn Korean
….Obama is too ignorant to see this coming..but the Russians are not
Posted by: A Veteran | May 27, 2009, 9:25 am 9:25 am
A Veteran:”MOSCOW — Russia is taking precautionary security measures because it fears tensions over North Korea’s atomic test could descend into nuclear war, news agencies quoted an official as saying on Wednesday.
Yep lets raise more money for the spineless, “I SURRENDER” ” the war is Lost” REID.. I always wanted to learn Korean”
Wanted to learn Korean? That is mind-boggling. You have so embraced living in fear that you think Korea could take over the United States? Seriously, are you with a straight face proposing North Korea is ANY threat of taking over our country? At the farthest, frothing at the mouth, Republican fear mongering the most I had heard up to this point is sneak nukes into a couple cities. Taking over the US – with their Navy and “Airforce” for transport – the absurdity boggles.
Posted by: jhw539 | May 27, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am
For all those that thought Obama was going to pay for his mega spending by “soaking” the achievers and workers… guess again.
A national 10% sales tax is in the planning stage.
Add the $3000/year/all families in increased costs for their energy bill
Add the health care premiums for rationed health care, and they have kept secret the planned premium payments
Add general income tax increases and on and on and on.
All of you that were thrilled with the historic massive pork spending, fake stimulus and other massive spending bills passed in less than three months are now going to bend over with everyone else and pay and pay for Obama to payoff unions and other special interest groups with tax dollars.
Don’t forget he gave billions of you tax dollars to the auto company and then GAVE IT TO THE UNIONS.
ANYONE FEEL LIKE A TOTAL SUCKER YET.
THE APOLOGY LINE STARTS AFTER YOU COLLECT YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT BECAUSE A NATIONAL SALES TAX, ON TOP OF INCOME TAX WILL ONLY LEAD TO MASSIVE JOB LOSSES AS PEOPLE STOP SPENDING.
Posted by: MNM | May 27, 2009, 10:17 am 10:17 am
The POTUS is a typical politician.. he may be slightly more quid pro quo than some, but then he was a long shot candidate.. making him even more pliable to suit his ends. This particular debacle isn’t unprecedented.. but, such opportunities for shameless feather bedding haven’t been available in recent decades.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 27, 2009 9:00:24 AM
——–
That is massive spin.
There is no comparison to Obama’s corrupt ways.
He GAVE the auto companies to his union supporters, threatened the actual investors so they would give up their claims, invested massive billions of taxpayer dollars and wrapped it up in a bow for the unions who give him campaign dollars and votes. UNPRECEDENTED, ILLEGAL, EXTORTION 3RD WORLD THUGGERY.
If Bush would have had to confiscate IBM, Apple, Boeing, from their investors, and handed them over gift wrapped to halliburton, piled billions of tax dollars on top to even come close to the massive corruption in this auto forced government payoffs.
Posted by: Nobama | May 27, 2009, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Only slightly worse.
Obama is confiscating private property (stocks) from people who invested in retirement funds such as the Indiana teachers group.
He literally stole their property and savings to give to the unions.
Where in history has this happened before.
This is theft, and abuse of power .
Posted by: MNM | May 27, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
The N. Koreans and Iranians are openly defying Obama with their actions towards increasing their nuclear capabilities. Iran has sent six warships into international waters, a historically unprecedented move. Obama, without any hint of passion, reads words from a teleprompter, votes “present”, and heads off to party in Vegas.
Great priorities, Barry. But not surprising.
Posted by: tjp612 | May 27, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am
tjp612: So what would you have him do? Launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran and North Korea? Nuke them back to the stone age? Get real.
Posted by: Waterboard All Right-Wing Whack-Jobs | May 27, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
“Iran has sent six warships into international waters, a historically unprecedented move.”
tjp the good little right wing parrot is spamming this to all the blogs.
Iran’s “unprecendented” move of war ships into international waters, has happened 3 times now in the last 6 months, including today’s announcement of 6, 2 weeks ago 2 warships joined the pirate patrol and in Dec there was warship to join the pirate patrol.
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie.
Posted by: Ryan C | May 27, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
what’s Obama doing in Las Vegas! not long ago he blasted big businesses for flying to Vegas-remember that, and now he”s in Vegas asking for money from those same big businesses!
Posted by: waterboard a liberal | May 27, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Political fundraisers in Vegas for Democratic candidates, OK. Destination meetings that actually create business, No Way.
Since Vegas’s primary source of revenue is meetings, and the President has threatened dire consequences if an organization does not cancel their meetings there, what is Harry Reid doing on the same stage as our President? How about if the Senate Leader passed legislation saying the White House living quarters could be no more luxurious than a Motel 6?
And if Senator Reid let the main income from the main town in his state be stolen for political reasons, why is he not impeached by his former constituents? Oh, I get it — Washington will steal the revenue from the state but put any amount it has to to get the Senator re-elected. Reverse Robin Hood.
Posted by: Tom Mariner | May 27, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Ryan_C, why on earth would you label the Iranian news agency, Reuters, and Iranian admiral in charge of its navy as “right wing parrots”? The poster who talked about the Iranian warship move as “historically unprecedented” was merely quoting the Iranian admiral, as reported by IRNA and picked up by Reuters and other news services. HEre’s the money quote: “‘Iran has dispatched six … warships to international waters and the Gulf of Aden region in an historically unprecedented move by the Iranian Navy,’ Sayyari told a gathering of armed forces officials, IRNA reported.”
So, you see, it is the Iranians who consider their naval manuevers this week to be unprecedented. More saber-rattling on their part. What do YOU propose the west do about it? Just issue a strongly worded statement from the UN Security Council? I know that this is posturing prior to their elections and do not advocate military action, but I do hope that the administration is working hard behind the scenes and stepping up the diplomacy. Harsh words alone will not be sufficient in the long run to deter the Iranians– it is a difficult situation and I am eager to see if the new administration can make more progress than the last one. You do realize that the Bush administration was involved in multiparty diplomacy regarding IRan, right? The left-wing talking point that Bush simply labeled Iran a member of the “axis of evil” and then ignored them is simply not true, as you well know, Ryan_C.
Posted by: moderate | May 27, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Nobama..
for comparison, I would go back to FDR..
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 27, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm