WASHINGTON–President Obama kicks off his 2012 re-election fund-raising drive headlining three events in Chicago on Thursday, with the low dollar reception at Navy Pier featuring Bulls stars present and past–Derrick Rose and B.J. Armstrong–and vocalist Colbie Caillat.
Obama makes a rare visit back to overnight at his Kenwood home Thursday. The last time Obama hit Chicago was an Oct. 30 daytrip, the weekend before the November election– at a rally near the University of Chicago on the Midway Plaisance. Before that, Obama was in town Aug. 4 for a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser and overnighted at his place.
As I reported last week, Obama has three events in Chicago, expected to haul in millions of dollars for his Obama 2012 campaign and the Democratic National Committee, followed by other big funders in San Francisco and Los Angeles on April 20 and 21.
In Chicago, Obama 2012/DNC is organizing:
A $35,800-per-person dinner at the MK Restaurant.
Another dinner with tickets from $5,000 to $15,000 at N9NE Steakhouse.
A large reception at the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier with tickets as low as $100.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former White House chief of staff, is also expected to attend at least one event.
Obama registered with the Federal Election Commission as a 2012 candidate on April 4.
