Barack Obama defends his birthday "gift"

Barack Obama attends a fundraiser on the eve of his 50th birthday, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, in Chicago.

/ AP Photo/M. Spencer Green

President Obama got what he wanted for his birthday, but by his own admission, it wasn't as spectacular as one would hope for.

Back in June, the president told NPR that what he really wanted for his 50th birthday was a debt ceiling deal. He got that gift, of course, just two days ahead of his birthday today. But at a fundraiser that doubled as a birthday celebration last night, the president acknowledged that few are happy with the way the deal was reached.

"Obviously, we've just gone through an extraordinary week in Washington, an extraordinary two weeks in Washington," he told a group of 100 wealthy supporters the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. "It's not the kind of extraordinary the American people are looking for."

Mr. Obama defended the debt package as "responsible" in paying down the national debt and added that it's "not going to dismantle our social safety net." He also took a jab at Republicans, remarking, "I give the other side credit. They are single-minded in their focus in wanting to cut programs and shrink government."

The president's fundraiser was his first in a month, after he put his campaigning on hold to deal with the debate over raising the debt limit. The 100 supporters who attended the dinner donated as much as $35,800 for tickets, while about 2,400 other donors -- some donning cone-shaped birthday hats with the Obama campaign logo on them -- paid a minimum of $50 to attend a larger event. The party-goers were entertained by the likes of musicians Jennifer Hudson and Herbie Hancock and the band OK Go.

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Obama getting older

While the debate over the debt limit may have discouraged his supporters, particularly progressives, the president said during his fundraising events that the struggle proved just how important the next election is.

"We've already seen over the last week just how different the two visions are in terms of which direction we should take the country," Mr. Obama said in a video teleconference with supporters. "This is really important moment in our history."

The 2012 election, he said, "in some ways may be more important than the last one."

In the future, Mr. Obama said, he wants to take on immigration, energy policy, tax reform, and continue to work on building up the economy and reducing the deficit and debt in a responsible way.

While wrapping up the debt deal must have been a relief to the president, he told his supporters Wednesday that he couldn't have had a better birthday present than spending the night in Chicago.

"It's true that I turn 50 tomorrow," he said, adding that by the time he wakes up tomorrow he expects an email from AARP "asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare."

Today, the president has a quiet public schedule, but privately he'll have two birthday celebrations. First, his senior staff will hold a toast for the president in the White House Blue Room today. In the evening, Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle are hosting White House Rose Garden party for some of their friends, which the Obamas are paying for themselves, reports the Chicago Sun Times' Lynn Sweet.

Even if the debt deal has left the president feeling weary at age 50, he can take comfort in knowing he's still the 5th youngest president, according to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller. He took office at 47 years old. The youngest ever president was Teddy Roosevelt, who took office at 42.

Obama, staff toast debt deal with burgers
Obama to Chicago for 50th birthday fundraiser
Photos: Obama on the campaign trail

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Presidents turning 50

[ACHERONLOVE]

People need to stop blaming the 2 party system especially blaming the Republicans sorry but republicans have changed in my 40 years they are all about supporting those contributors with the largest check book and now we have a President who swore he wouldn't do that only to have multiple birthday parties to get support from both rich and poor voters.

What a waste of time and resources to celebrate the President multiple times kind of vain as well.

I believe it is time we get a President who will not cower to the rich. I mean I am sorry call it jealousy or whatever you want but the upper crust people over 250 million and especially those in the billionaire bracket Yes that means Oprah too should be paying more tax percentage than Joe Blow who makes under $35000 a year.

Of course that will never happen do you know how much cash our government could make if they just set an overall rule that everyone pay say 10% taxes a year. The rich can complain all they want but I am sick of seeing the massive greed our country has sustained by not raising taxes on the rich because supposedly they'd take their jobs and go elsewhere. Countries are getting smarter they see what our businesses are doing to them and although still many work well below even tolerable existance income it's time they stood up and their goverment stood up for it's people and quit being the cheap workers that they are they deserve fair wages as well as us and each of these countries need their own politicians to take their own hands out of the cookie jar and respond with "Okay you want our workers well then they at least make the same minimum wage your country pays" Once someone stands up against this the Rich will always control our lives, government and everything else.

[Gamesman001]

10% across the board no deductions? I'd vote for that but think of all those poor IRS agents and tax attorneys who would lose their jobs. Think of all the computer time saved.

[kjett4]

Was it a pack of smokes?

[speakingfrankly]

So youth is yet another excuse our blame-shifter-in-chief can use for his incapacity to lead and his manifest unpreparedness to assume the responsibilities of the presidency. Fair enough. Let's relieve him of the burden of the office in 2012. He can always apply again later when he's better prepared.

[PC-er]

Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. Republicans can only pull the wool over their constituents so many times; sooner or later, people are going to realize that candidates who base their campaigns on faith and very little else, who have IQs less than 100, and can't outdo a high school sophomore in the finer points of government... simply aren't up to the responsibilities of the presidency.

The founding fathers wanted a Democracy, not a Theocracy.

After what the Tea Party pulled - y'all can kiss yours and your obstructionist tactics good-bye.

[ZunarJ59]

When the Founding Fathers could not come to an agreement they walked down the street to St Paul's Church and prayed for guidance as a group. I'd call that "faith based", unless you're one of those so delusional you actually think they intended for the church to stay out of State affairs.

[Priceymum]

Obama never came up with a plan and is putting blame on Republicans or the tea party. In fact Biden called Republicans terrorists. Obama, in his own words said he didn't care if he was a one term president. So, let me get this straight, why is he trying to raise 1 billion dollars to get reelected? Democrats want to blame all others for their dum policies. Obama wants to repair old bridges. How about getting rid of his expensive czars and huge staff. Every city in every state is cutting back but the white house just gave raises and increased his staff. He jets around like air force one was a bicycle. Give me one reason to vote for this guy. Americans can't wait for howdy dudy to retire.

[PC-er]

Here's a better question for you - if all the Republicans believe that big cuts in spending are the solution (with no new taxes or sources of revenue), then shouldn't they NOT be fundraising at all? Because clearly, a lack of funds solves all things.

[charles0390]

First off,Obooboo did not contribute anything at all for the plan.He never even came up with any kind of a proposal of his own to present to the house.He also was the main cause of it running down to the wire as well.He couldnt make a proposal of his own because he simply did not know how to do it.He has no experience in economics so that pretty much kept him in the dark.The majority of the demos never came up with anything either save for a handfull of them that workied with the gop together.Unless both part's stop acting like a bunch of kids and start working together which is what their supose to be doing we are gonna stay in trouble.Oh,one other thing,I don't seee Obooboo getting re-elected again,he pretty much wore out his welcome pretty quickly

[PC-er]

First off, I didn't realize that the President's job included coming up with the Congressional Budget.
Second off, the Republicans stated from the start that they opposed any tax increases in any way, shape or form.
Third off, what's the point in trying to pass a bill through Congress if you know that you don't have the votes?
3a) Boehner found out the hard way when his budget passed through the house, but was killed in the senate within a few hours.
3b) The Senate Republicans attempted to filibuster the Democrats Budget before it was even brought to a vote.
3c) The House Republicans killed the Senate Democrats budget before it even CAME to the House.

There was THIS much partisanship and brinksmanship in Congress, period. And we're blaming Obama for it?

Did you support Paul Ryan's plan? Because I'd like to know what you plan on supporting yourself with when you retire. I'd also like you to go to every member of the AARP to tell them that "sorry, we can't support you any more. But you can make yourselves useful by shortening your life span..."

[PC-er]

I'm confused... when Bin Laden was killed, there were a bunch of people who refused to give Obama credit, instead opting to give credit to the members of SEAL Team 6 and good old fashioned intelligence work.

Fair enough.

However ... with the demotion in credit rating, it's fair to say that the same group of people are pinning the blame solely on Obama. Nevermind, that it's Congress that legislates the laws. Nevermind that FDR was the one who instituted social security. Nevermind that the government had to bail out the auto industry, as well as the mortgage companies, and Wall Street... Nevermind that spending under Obama has generally been towards infrastructure and job creation rather than the Pork Barrel spending we're so familiar with when it comes to Southern and Midwestern House Reps...

So - explain to me why the double standard?
Why refuse to give Obama credit for OBL ... and then give him sole credit for the S&P's verdict on the credit rating?

[Stellareno]

The double standard comes from the fact that the single-minded Republicans have one major goal: the defeat of President Obama. They have despised and disrespected him ever since his election. They have their own interests at heart ALWAYS; they couldn't care less about the "American people" whom they claim to represent. Their hatred of the President is the most unattractive thing about this very unattractive group. As we saw in the debt ceiling crisis, their thinking is circular and unyielding. THE extreme right is responsible for S&P downgrading our credit rating, and THEY should be blamed! Don't expect them to give this President credit for ANYthing positive. They never will, which just goes to show how narrow-minded and spiteful they are.

[EarlBarry]

I love Obama - who else could get away with deflecting all blame away from himself so effectively? Before anyone responds - let me do it for you - It's Bush's fault!

[american1778]

It was the President who caused this along with the radical Democrates. The President is dysfunctional. The President plays while the nation burns. Obama is brain impaired. I hope most Americans will see this for what it is, pure hatred for the white race. The "Man Child " is an incompetent crybaby !!!. The honorable thing for him to would be for him to resign ASAP. We could deal with the floozi Biden for a few months as he is totally incopetent and ineffective.

[martinvanmilk]

he is half white.

[martinvanmilk]

how do you think obama caused this? please be specific. curious what your thought-process is.

[Alice_Polarbear]

"the president said during his fundraising events that the struggle proved just how important the next election is." Indeed! It is essential that we get rid of him and much of the Senate and get some grownups elected for a change!

[martinvanmilk]

ok great! like who? what are your suggestions?

[nativeamericancitizen]

Mein Fuhrer Obama the supreme leader of the Party of the poor bags 45,000 per plate from his voters/donors at his birthday party. I was wondering where all that stimulus money went. One dirty sticky BBQ hand washes the other, mob style! It seems some Animals on the Farm are more equal than others who couldn't afford the gala event. Ha!

[martinvanmilk]

i agree - i felt the same way when bush started the iraq war (cuz, as he said, hussein was involved in 9/11 and had WMDs) and cheney and his company halliburton made millions cleaning the mess up. one hand washing the other.

[shayVerpoose]

What a great comment. Obama never does mention the $45,00.00 per plate DONATION. Grass roots my butt. You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly where the stimulus money went. And him, never had a paying job and he is a millionare. Doesn't any care about these facts.

[Opinionated61]

His handlers have purposefully made an attempt at making him look older and mature. The "Man Child " is an incompetent crybaby !!!. The honorable thing for him to do for him to do would be for him to resign ASAp. We could deal with the floozi Biden for a few months as he is totally incopetent and ineffective.

[euge005]

either of them are better than anything the sold out bunglers in the GOP have ever offered. remember that Bush was the best you had & it still took an election he could not win honestly with politi-goon storming a polling place to stop a recount. Your 1 vote wonder (court victory by 1 vote for the office) and war criminal is the best you have. and you have the nerve to complain.

[martinvanmilk]

totally bush's handlers did the same thing - threw some gray hairs in. you're a genius.