Obama heads to Chicago for first fundraisers for his 2012 campaign

President Barack Obama in Fairless Hills, Pa., Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

While pushing his plan to trim federal government deficits, President Obama seeks to ensure that deficits are a problem that won't burden his campaign for re-election or his political party.

In Chicago on Thursday night, Mr. Obama will have his hand out at three fundraising events to benefit the Obama Victory Fund, a joint account of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and of his campaign committee, Obama for America.

In the neighborhood of 2,500 supporters are expected at the three events and will pay between $100 and as much as $35,800 per person for the privilege.

Campaign and party officials bill the larger, five-figure contribution as the "maxout." With the signing of a single check, a big-money contributor can make the legal maximum contribution this year to the Obama campaign committee and the DNC.

It breaks down as follows:

The fundraisers are being staged at two eateries in Mr. Obama's hometown: the N9NE Steakhouse and the MK Restaurant. It's topped by a fundraising rally of sorts at the Navy Pier on the lakefront.

Tonight's events are the first fundraisers Mr. Obama will have attended since filing documents with the Federal Election Commission on April 4th that make him an official candidate for president.

The first time around, the Obama campaign raised $774 million over two years - the most ever raised by a presidential campaign.

Political analysts suspect that in this cycle, the Obama campaign could be the first to raise a billion dollars on behalf of the president's re-election.

It's clear deficits are not an option in Mr. Obama's bid to serve a second term.

[Steady321]

They would have to pay ME to see this Marxist SOB.

[ur_u_nuts]

Me too and a LOT of cash to boot!!!

[crazyname]

That was a picture, the head and the butt of the donkey all in one frame!
How can america be so stupid, or greedy?

[ur_u_nuts]

LOL!!!! Thanks! hehehe.....

[RobAla]

After more two years of President Obama completely failing this nation, it is amazing to see people still cheering him and ready to fork over money to his guy. He is over spending this country into bankruptcy at an alarming rate, and he lashes out at anyone who tries to bring sanity to the nations horrible spending habits.

His horrible energy policy, along with unrest in the middle, is about to give Americans $5.00 per gallon gas. This will slaughter any economic recovery (and we have had very little of it) of the nation.

He and other Democrats forced a disastrous health care law on this nation, and did not even give legislators time to read the bill before the vote.

This President has been more reckless and extreme in policy and action than any I can recall. American businesses are still unsettled and struggling, and this President is about to lay heavier taxes on them and taxpayers. This will cripple the economy and jobs even more. We are in big trouble, and he continues to drive the nation off a cliff. Still people are cheering him on and giving him money.

It is almost incomprehensible that he would still have supporters.

[crazyname]

Yup, going after the cash from his evil rich. The us is going down the toilet, and obama is off on vacations, raising campaign money, playing golf, eating high on the hog. Just living like an evil rich white republican. Isn't he taking all these vacations, flying all over the country and the world, on the backs of the taxpayers. Obama fiddles while the US economy drowns in debt because liberals are more interested in buying votes than doing what is right for the taxpayers and the country!

[catmomtx]

Oh for goodness sakes! You people act as if no other President has ever launched a campaign for a second term. At least this President isn't using fear of a terrorist attack to garner support. What's the matter, you Obama haters upset because people actually like him? And way to go insulting people you don't agree with how righteous you haters are.

[RobAla]

Democrats not using fear? Wasserman was talking about Republicans being out to kill old people with Paul Ryan's budget plan. I am really sick of people attempting to scare the crap out of old people, and refusing to attempt to defend their own ideas with rational and logical discourse.

[ur_u_nuts]

PU!! What stink in here? Oh an overflowing litter box I see figures no one in their mind (right or otherwise) could possibly support this statist clown for POTUS again! If they do they need mental help!!!

[RobAla]

Still campaigning. That is all his deficit reduction budget was all about, shoring up his liberal left wing base. There was nothing serious about reducing deficit spending in it.

[ur_u_nuts]

All talk no substance how did this guy need have kids? Apparently he hired someone to do that since he obviously has no stones!

[slatep]

This amount of money ($38,500) is obscene.!

Corporate, union etc. contributions should be limited to $10,000.

Maybe then less corporate etc. influence in how the government is run
would improve the financial health of the US.

We might actually get a President who is not bought and paid for by $1 BILLION worth of corporate influence.

[ur_u_nuts]

user000049586849302948603 did your parents take you home instead of the baby they had? I've never known placenta to actually used computers.....