A Fundraiser That Isn't a Fundraiser

When is a fundraiser not a fundraiser?

Today's White House press schedule shows President Obama attending a fundraiser this evening for the Democratic National Committee at a posh hotel in Washington.

But a party official says it's not really a fundraiser. No tickets were sold and no donations had to be made for an invitation.

"The president will stop by a gathering of some of our strongest Democratic supporters and long-time friends," said a party official, insisting on not being identified by name.

It's what political committees usually refer to as "donor maintenance" - an exercise in hand-holding and back-slapping to let big money contributors know they're not taken for granted. It's usually a not-so-subtle attempt to convey the message that the donors will soon be hit up for more money.

We're also told Mr. Obama won't be making a speech at the dinner tonight - hard to believe - and for that reason, press coverage is barred.

Sometimes actual fundraisers are off-limits to reporters because the White House or political beneficiary decides it doesn't want the president to be seen in blatant political mode with well-heeled supporters of the party or its candidates.

So far this year, Mr. Obama has done 25 political fundraising events, of which seven were closed to press coverage. Often, the excuse is that the event is being held in a private residence and there's no room for the press. But sometimes closed fundraisers are held in a hotel ballroom and the only reason for barring reporters is the whim of the White House or the political committee or candidate involved.

Mr. Obama is doing two political fundraisers in New York City tomorrow, and both of them will be closed to press coverage as well. One of them is being staged in the home of Vogue editor Anna Wintour and the other at another posh hotel.

The 25 fundraisers the president has done this year have raised at least $47.4 million.

During the same period in President Bush's first term, he did 34 fundraisers generating nearly $103 million. More lax rules on contributions were in effect in 2002.