ABC News’ Tahman Bradley Reports:

In some of the sharpest comments he’s made this election cycle, President Obama attacked Texas Gov. Rick Perry and recent Republican presidential debate audiences tonight at a fundraiser in Woodside, California.

“Some of you here may be folks who actually used to be Republicans but are puzzled by what’s happened to that party, are puzzled by what’s happening to that party. I mean, has anybody been watching the debates lately?” Obama said, per a reporter who was there.

“You’ve got a governor whose state is on fire denying climate change,” Obama told donors referring to Perry.

“It’s true. You’ve got audiences cheering at the prospect of somebody dying because they don’t have health care and booing a service member in Iraq because they’re gay. That’s not reflective of who we are,” said Obama.

“This is a choice about the fundamental direction of our country. 2008 was an important direction. 2012 is a more important election,” he added.

Obama also took aim at conservative media. He told donors that if their friends and neighbors are reading the Wall Street Journal editorial page or watching Fox News they need to talk to “push back” on their “inadequate information.”

Obama made his remarks at a high-dollar fundraiser held at the Symantec chairman’s house in Woodside, CA. The president is on the West Coast raising campaign money.

Tickets prices for this particular fundraiser started at $2,500.