Republicans criticize Obama for number of fundraisers not open to the public.
Two weeks after his last fundraising foray to the Bay Area, President Obama is back Wednesday for a four-hour trip to pick up more than $2 million in San Francisco, prompting Republicans to criticize his many money calls to the region without events that are open to the public.
California Gov. Jerry Brown, former Democratic National Committee Chair Tim Kaine and baseball legend Willie Mays, who will introduce the president, are expected to be among the crowd at the sold-out luncheon for Obama at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in the Merchants Exchange Building on California Street.
The president’s 16th trip to California, pulled together in the past week, begins as Air Force One touches down at San Francisco International Airport before noon.
Officials from the Obama for America campaign said on background that the president will head first to a “small campaign roundtable” at the Landmark at One Market with just 25 people. Tickets for the sold-out event aimed at tech executives cost $35,800 per person, making the Obama campaign take there $895,000.
The president then will appear at a luncheon for an estimated 270 donors at the ballroom where Michelle Obama starred at a fundraiser last year.
Democratic strategist and real estate developer Clint Reilly, who owns the Merchants Exchange Building, and his wife, Janet, president of the board of directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, are expected to be among the crowd dining on coho salmon — described as Obama’s favorite dish — in a menu prepared by Credo restaurant. Ticket prices range from $5,000 to $7,500 for a photo with the president and $50,000 for co-hosting status.
Obama is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles later in the day to address the LGBT Leadership Council Gala starring entertainer Pink at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He heads to Nevada on Thursday.
“Millions of unemployed Americans are struggling to make ends meet due to the president’s hostility toward job creators, but instead of taking action to create jobs, the president has decided to focus on holding a record 150 fundraisers to save his own,’’ Republican National Committee spokesman Matt Connolly said this week.
San Francisco Supervisor Christina Olague, who said she “wholeheartedly” supports Obama’s re-election, said she intended to protest his fundraising visit.