I came across this piece courtesy of the Guardian, which describes the recent uptick in the President's fundraising activities, particularly with wealthy donors. This first came to my attention when the President was in Dallas to promote the exchanges followed by fundraisers for the DSCC.
Per the Guardian:
Although unable to run again for election himself, Obama is estimated to have raised up to $40m for other Democrats since his last inauguration in January as he devotes a growing portion of the second term to financing efforts aimed at winning back control of Congress in next year's midterm elections.
Travelling to the 30 fundraisers, mostly held in private mansions and luxury hotels across 10 cities, has also required him to clock up more than 20,000 miles on Air Force One at an estimated cost to the US taxpayer of more than $6m.
I get that that the goal is to elect more and better Democrats and we need a large war chest to combat the Republicans. Wealthy donors are citizens as well. However my concern is that this clearly opens up the President to attacks, especially at a time when he is already coming under attack for the botched launch of the exchanges. It also does not help that he is fund-raising at twice the clip of other Presidents.
Here is another example of one of these fundraising days:
Last Friday, for example, Obama, after attending a public event in New Orleans, flew to Miami to attend three fundraisers for the DNC and the DSCC. These included a speech beside the palm trees and swimming pool of wealthy Cuban American businessman Jose Mas Santos, and another poolside event to support Florida senator Bill Nelson. On Thursday, Obama flies to Philadelphia for his 31st fundraiser of the year, also for the DSCC.
Not only does the fundraising happen often, it also takes away the image that the President works for the middle class and reinforces the one where he fights for wall street and is more in tune with celebrities
The May fundraiser in Weinstein's five-storey townhouse in New York, for example, attracted celebrities including Justin Timberlake and Tommy Hilfiger. Other Hollywood notables including Walt Disney chairman Bob Iger, producers Haim Saban and JJ Abrams, pianist Mike Lombardo and actress Katie McGrath were also spotted at the lunch in Chernin's Los Angeles garden in June.
I understand that the President cannot be at the White House at all times and that fundraising has become a necessary part of the job. Celebrities and other wealthy folks have the money and influence to help the party in ways that you and I may not. However, I think that the report will be damaging not to hardcore supporters or people who already hate the President, but to people who are not politically engaged. I think that if this becomes more than a blip on the radar, it will turn off average voters.
I would like to point out that I still strongly support the President. But reading things like this gives me a pause and I think of the possible ramifications. I would love to get your thoughts in the comments