Who Needs A Record To Run On When You Have Live Music?

OBAMA’S FUNDRAISING TOUR FEATURES “A MUSICAL LINEUP WORTHY OF GRAMMY GOLD”

“President Barack Obama’s Upcoming West Coast Fundraising Trip Will Feature A Musical Lineup Worthy Of Grammy Gold.” (Ken Thomas, “Foo Fighters, Cornell To Play Obama Fundraisers” The Associated Press, 2/13/12)

• “Big-Name Singers Jack Johnson And India.Arie Have Performed At Fundraisers This Year, And The Foo Fighters Are Set To Headline One On Feb. 15 In Los Angeles.” (Jennifer Epstein, “Obama Seeks Return Of The Cool,” Politico, 2/12/12)

CBS’ Mark Knoller: Obama’s Three-Day, Three State Tour Will Include 8 Fundraising Events And Just 2 Policy Speeches. “Tomorrow: Pres Obama embarks on 3-day swing through Wisconsin, California & Washington state. He’ll do 8 fundraisers & 2 policy speeches.” (Mark Knoller, Twitter Feed, 2/14/12)

“Obama’s Three-Day, Three-State Trip Offers Another Sign That His Campaign Is Entering A New Phase As He Cranks His Fundraising Apparatus Into High Gear.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

Yesterday, Obama’s Tour Offered His Supporters The Foo Fighters

Yesterday, Obama Fundraised With Grammy Award Winning Foo Fighters In Los Angeles. “Obama campaign officials say the Foo Fighters, fresh off winning five Grammys on Sunday, will perform at a Los Angeles fundraiser on Wednesday.” (Ken Thomas, “Foo Fighters, Cornell To Play Obama Fundraisers” The Associated Press, 2/13/12)

Obama’s Fundraisers At The Holmby Hills Home Of “The Bold And The Beautiful” Producer Bradley Bill “Sold Out Faster Than Any Fundraiser In The Last Several Years.” “But there was no evidence of that in the run-up to Wednesday’s fundraising events. A dinner and a reception at the Holmby Hills home of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ producer Bradley Bell and his wife, Colleen, co-hosted by actor Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca, sold out faster than any fundraiser in the last several years, according to Ken Solomon, co-chairman of Obama’s Southern California fundraising committee.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

• Will Ferrell And Jack Black Were Among 80 Guests At A $35,800 Per Plate Dinner After The Foo-Fighters’ Performance. “When President Obama arrives in Hollywood on Wednesday evening for a pair of fundraisers, he’ll be greeted by 1,000 supporters at the home of a soap opera producer. Foo Fighters will play a live performance. Later, at the same residence, actors Will Ferrell and Jack Black will be among the 80 guests joining the president for a $35,800-per-plate dinner.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

Obama’s Los Angeles Fundraisers Brought In More Than $3 Million For His Reelection Campaign. “The reception, featuring an acoustic set by recent Grammy winners the Foo Fighters, will run $250 to $500 per person. A small private dinner, which will cost $35,800 a head, will follow. The two events are expected to raise more than $3 million for the campaign and Democratic National Committee.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

• “And When First Lady Michelle Obama Visited Los Angeles Two Weeks Ago To Headline Two Campaign Fundraisers, The Sold-Out Events Brought In More Than $1 Million, Organizers Said.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times,2/15/12)

Tonight, Obama’s Tour Guests Will Enjoy A Musical Performance By Chris Cornell

After A Private, $35,800 Per Plate Dinner, Obama Will Jet Over To Another Fundraising $2,500 Ticket Event Featuring A Performance By Chris Cornell. On Thursday evening, he will attend a fundraising dinner with 70 supporters at a private residence in San Francisco, with tickets at $35,800 per person. That is followed by a fundraising reception at the Nob Hill Masonic Center attended by 2,500 people that will feature a musical performance by Chris Cornell. Tickets for the dinner cost $35,800 (per person).” (Carla Marinucci, “Obama Hits The CA Fundraising Mother Lode Again Wed — Here’s All The Details,” San Francisco Chronicle’s“The Spin Cycle,” 2/15/12) 

Michael Tusk, Chef-Owner Of Quince And Cotogna, Will Cook Obama And His Guests Dinner. “President Barack Obama will be in San Francisco next week for a special fundraiser, and on Thursday, February 16, Michael Tusk – chef-owner of Quince and Cotogna — will be cooking him dinner. The event will take place in a private home in the city, not at Quince.” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” Inside Scoop SF, 2/9/12)

•  “Tortelloni Filled With Barinaga Ranch Basseri Cheese And Wild Nettle” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” San Francisco Chronicle, 2/9/12)

• “Poularde In Diverse Preparations: Roast Breast Filled With Black Salsify, Savory Cabbage And Leg Fricassee With Chanterelle Mushroom” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” San Francisco Chronicle, 2/9/12)

•  “Sweet Dumpling Squash Puree And Marble Potato” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” San Francisco Chronicle, 2/9/12)
• “Chocolate Cemeux” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” San Francisco Chronicle, 2/9/12)
• “Straus Family Creamery Milk Jam And Chocolate Caramel Dentelle” (Paolo Lucchesi, “President Obama Is Coming To San Francisco, And This Is What Michael Tusk Will Serve Him,” San Francisco Chronicle, 2/9/12)

Friday, Obama’s Tour Boasts Natalie Cole And Seattle’s “The Head And The Heart”

“And On Friday, Seattle Band The Head And The Heart Will Perform At A Fundraiser In Bellevue, Wash.” (Ken Thomas, “Foo Fighters, Cornell To Play Obama Fundraisers” The Associated Press, 2/13/12)

• “Tickets Start At $1,000.” “The President will then deliver remarks at a fundraising reception attended by 450 at the Westin Bellevue in Bellevue, WA, featuring a musical performance by Head and the Heart. Tickets for this event start at $1,000. (Carla Marinucci, “Obama Hits The CA Fundraising Mother Lode Again Wed — Here’s All The Details,” San Francisco Chronicle’s “The Spin Cycle,” 2/15/12) 

But First, Obama Will Hold A $17,900 Per Ticket Event Boasting A Performance By Natalie Cole. “When the President leaves San Francisco on Friday, he heads off to Washington State, where he will attend a fundraising luncheon with 65 people at a private residence in Medina, WA. Natalie Cole will perform.  Tickets for this event are $17,900.” (Carla Marinucci, “Obama Hits The CA Fundraising Mother Lode Again Wed — Here’s All The Details,” San Francisco Chronicle’s “The Spin Cycle,” 2/15/12) 

AND OBAMA WILL “CONTINUE TO ENJOY STRONG SUPPORT” AMONG HOLLYWOOD ELITE

Many Of Obama’s Top Fundraisers Are “Leading Figures From Hollywood And The Media.” “The Obama campaign provided additional details about its $222 million fundraising haul Tuesday, revealing that many of the president’s top fundraisers were leading figures in Hollywood and the media.” (Justin Sink, “Top Obama Fundraisers Come From Hollywood, Media,” The Hill’s “Blog Briefing Room,” 1/31/12)

Through The End Of 2011, Obama’s Hollywood Fundraisers Raised $4.75 Million For His Reelection “According to the Center for Responsive Politics, fundraisers working in the film, television and music industries have raised $4.75 million for Obama’s election through the end of 2011 — well above the $3.7 million raised for Obama by the same industry groups during the entire 2008 election cycle.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

• “Indeed, Key Figures In The Entertainment Community Have Been Ardent Backers Of Obama’s Reelection Bid.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

Hollywood Film Producer Jeffrey Katzenberg And Political Advisor Andy Spahn Each Brought In More Than $500,000 For Obama’s Reelection Campaign By The End Of 2011.  “Some of the industry’s best-known figures are raising money for the campaign. Among them are film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and political advisor Andy Spahn, who each brought in more than $500,000 by the end of 2011, according to figures released by the campaign.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

• Spahn: Obama Will “Continue To Raise Money” And “Enjoy Strong Support” From Hollywood. “’The events are sold out,’ Spahn said of Wednesday’s concert and dinner at the home of Bradley and Colleen Bell. Katzenberg and Spahn, who are not involved with Bell’s event, are planning another Hollywood fundraiser for the president in the spring. ‘I expect the president to continue to enjoy strong support. We will continue to raise money.’” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

Talent Agent, And Brother To Rahm Emanuel, Ari Emanuel Bundled At Least $100,000 For Obama In 2011. “Solomon also raised more than $500,000, while talent agent Ari Emanuel (brother of former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel) corralled between $100,000 and $200,000.” (Richard Verrier and Matea Gold, “Hollywood Will Meet President Obama With Open Wallets,” Los Angeles Times, 2/15/12)

Actress Eva Longoria Bundled At Least $200,000 For Obama. “Actress Eva Longoria brought in more than $200,000 for the president, while disgraced MF Global Holdings CEO and former N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine brought in more than half a million for the president.” (Justin Sink, “Top Obama Fundraisers Come From Hollywood, Media,” The Hill’s “Blog Briefing Room,” 1/31/12)

This Year, Obama Has Been Working Hard To Keep Hollywood In His Pocket

Obama Has “Worked Hard In Recent Months To Keep His Big-Money Hollywood Backers In The Fold.” “Obama’s campaign has worked hard in recent months to keep his big-money Hollywood backers in the fold. Even before last month’s debate over Internet piracy bills, some Hollywood power brokers were reportedly feeling neglected by the administration.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

In Early January, Obama Asked Bahamas Ambassador Nicole Avant To Return To California To Do “Damage Control” Among Hollywood Elite. “In early January, the Hollywood Reporter, a trade publication, reported that the Obama campaign asked Nicole Avant, the administration’s ambassador to the Bahamas, to return to her native California to do damage control.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

• Obama Appointed Nicole Avant As His Ambassador To The Bahamas In June, 2009. (“President Obama Announces Intent To Nominate Key Administration Posts,” Press Release, 6/4/09)

• Avant Bundled At Least $500,000 For Obama’s 2008 Election. (Center For Responsive Politics, “Bundlers,” Accessed 2/15/12)

Avant, Daughter Of “Music Industry Titan And Obama Bundler Clarence Avant” And Wife Of Netflix Executive Ted Sarandos, Hosted A Fundraiser With Michelle Obama.  “The daughter of music industry titan and Obama bundler Clarence Avant, Nicole Avant and her husband, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, hosted a fundraiser for Michelle Obama at their Beverly Hills home Jan. 31.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

• And Another Featuring Vice President Biden. “Another fundraiser, a $1,000-per-plate breakfast at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Jan. 20, featured Vice President Biden.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

And Avant Recruited Singer Joshua Radin To Perform To Her Hollywood Guests.  “Singer Joshua Radin performed for the audience, which included, according to a report in Variety, Katzenberg, producers Steve Bing and Harvey Weinstein, music mogul Berry Gordy, actress Vivica Ferrell and music producer Quincy Jones.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Eager To Sooth Hollywood Supporters On Fundraising Trip,” The Washington Post, 2/14/12)

WHILE OBAMA IS ON HIS FUNDRAISING TOUR, AMERICANS ARE STUCK DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF OBAMANOMICS

The Economy Remains In “By Far The Worst Jobs Recovery Since The Great Depression.” “Even  with the recent gains, this is also by far the worst jobs recovery since the Great Depression, and the U.S. still has about 5.5 million fewer jobs than it did before the recession began in December 2007.” (Editorial, “The January Jobs Thaw,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/4/12)

• The Unemployment Rate Has Remained Above Eight Percent For A Record 36 Straight Months Since The Stimulus Was Passed. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 2/6/12)

• The Unemployment Crisis Is Far From Over. “Yet the crisis that at one point displaced 14 million American workers — and resulted in more than 60,000 jobs lost in St. Louis — is far from over. (Steve Giegerich, “Despite January Gains, Troubled Job Market Has Long Way To Go,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/13/12)

“The U.S. Began The New Year With Fewer Jobs Than Existed A Decade Ago.” “In her analysis of the January jobs numbers, Economic Policy Institute economist Heidi Shierholtz emphasized that the U.S. began the new year with fewer jobs than existed a decade ago, in 2001. More troubling, a record 43.7 percent of today’s unemployed workers are taking more than six months to land another job.” (Steve Giegerich, “Despite January Gains, Troubled Job Market Has Long Way To Go,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/13/12)

• 84 Consecutive Months Of Payroll Growth Are Needed To Reduce Unemployment Below 5 Percent. “Shierholtz, in her jobs outlook, estimated that the U.S. needs 84 consecutive months of payroll growth at the January level – when 234,000 jobs were added – to drop the unemployment rate below 5 percent, generally considered full employment.” (Steve Giegerich, “Despite January Gains, Troubled Job Market Has Long Way To Go,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/13/12)

“It Is Hard To Claim That The President’s Policies Are Working When So Many Americans Are Not.” “The official unemployment rate counts only those who are unemployed and looking for work. If you stopped looking, you’re not counted as unemployed because the government has written you out of the workforce entirely. That’s the real story of the economy during the Obama years. Put the blame wherever you want, but it is hard to claim that the President’s policies are working when so many Americans are not.” (Editorial, “Hopeless: The Real Obama Economy,” Union Leader, 2/13/12)

Since President Obama Took Office, 6.3 Million Americans Have Fallen Into Poverty. (Press Release, “Income, Poverty And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2010,” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/13/11)

“Many Of The ‘New Poor’ Are The Former Middle Class.” “‘Many of the ‘new poor’ are the former middle class,’ broadcaster Tavis Smiley, who requested the study, said in a statement.” (Mary Wisniewski, “Poverty To Keep Rising Due To Slow Recovery: Study,” Reuters, 1/11/12)

54.3 Percent Of 18-24 Year Olds Have A Job, “The Lowest Rate Since The Government Started Keeping Records In 1948.” “How hard has the Great Recession hit young adults in the U.S.? According to a report released Thursday by the Pew Research Center, only 54.3% of young adults aged 18 to 24 have a job. It’s the lowest rate since the government started keeping records in 1948.” (Josh Sanburn, “Fewest Young Adults In 60 Years Have Jobs,” TIME’s “Moneyland,” 2/9/12)

Obama Can’t Understand Americans Who Are Looking For Work

In A Google Hangout, Obama Told An “Unconvinced” Jennifer Weddel That Her Husband “Should Be Able To Find Something Right Away.” “In the beginning, Obama told Weddel that her husband ‘should be able to find something right away.’ Unconvinced, Weddel kept pressing.” (Amie Parnes, “Obama To Voter On Google+: Send Me Your Husband’s Resume,” The Hill, 1/30/12)

• Weddel’s Question Was The “Point Where The President’s View Of The Economic Recovery Collided With The Reality Of A Family’s Personal Struggle.” “While the president largely promoted his economic and domestic agenda, there was a point where the president’s view of the economic recovery collided with the reality of a family’s personal struggle.” (Mary Bruce, “Obama Comes Face To Face With Economic Recovery In Google ‘Hangout’,” ABC News, 1/30/12)