Obamas' Friday Fundraiser Frenzy: Six Events, $5.6M
You'll want to "#FF" - that's "follow Friday" for the non-Twitter crowd - the first family today as they fly off for a frenzy of fundraisers, with First Lady Michelle Obama landing in Minneapolis and President Obama in Chicago and Atlanta.
The six events combined should net at least $5.6 million for Democrats and the president's re-election campaign, according to estimates provided by an Obama campaign official.
Mrs. Obama will host an afternoon reception with 350 supporters in Minneapolis at the Walker Art Center. The invitation for the event lists tickets starting at $250 to attend and up to $10,000 to mingle with Obama and take a photo with her.
Meanwhile, the president will start his day in Chicago, headlining reception at the Palmer House Hilton with more than 600 guests. Tickets for the event start at $2,500, a campaign official said. Obama will then head behind closed doors for an intimate roundtable discussion with 60 supporters who have each cut checks for $10,000.
Flying south to Atlanta, Obama will then hobnob with donors into the evening at three fundraisers tailored to the African-American community.
Seventy-five supporters will mingle with the president at an as yet undisclosed private Atlanta residence, where tickets were $10,000 apiece. Then he'll join a star-studded concert featuring CeeLo Green at the Tyler Perry Studios, where at least 1,000 Obama fans are expected in the crowd, an official said. Each paid $500 or more.
Before returning to Washington, Obama will visit the home of actor and director Tyler Perry, who's hosting the ritziest party of the night at $35,800 per head. At least 60 people are expected to attend to toast the president.
All proceeds from the six events benefit the Obama Victory Fund, a joint account that funnels cash to the Obama campaign and Democratic National Committee, the official said. The first $5,000 of an individual's contribution goes to Obama while the remainder - up to $30,800 - goes to the DNC.
The president's events raise to 40 his total attended for the year and 107 his total for the cycle. The first lady's event is her 17 th fundraiser of the year.