Obama Hosts Fundraisers for DNC

(CBS)

President Obama is hosting a pair of fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee this evening, events designed to fatten the party's coffers ahead of the 2010 midterm elections.

At the first of the two fundraisers, the president will take questions from the audience -- continuing his practice of taking questions from just about everyone but the White House press corps.

A Democratic Party source tells CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller that about 700 people are expected at the first fundraiser, taking place at 5:45 p.m. at the Capital Hilton.

Tickets are going for between $100 and $1,000, and the audience will be a mix of supporters and members of the DNC. The party's chairman, Tim Kaine, is planning to speak along with the president.

The second fundraiser -- at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington – has a steeper price tag: $30,400 for a couple. Both Mr. Obama and Kaine will speak at the evening event, where 140 people are expected.

The DNC expects contributions from the two events to total between $2 and $3 million.