Washington (CNN) - President Obama will head home to Chicago Wednesday for birthday-themed fundraisers.
One thousand five hundred people are expected at the historic Aragon Ballroom Wednesday night, according to Katie Hogan, deputy press secretary for Obama's re-election campaign. Attendees paid a minimum of $50 per ticket, which will flow to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint account with the Democratic National Committee and the Obama re-election campaign.
Entertainment for the event, on the eve of the president's 50th birthday, will include rock band OK Go, Jennifer Hudson and Herbie Hancock.
The president will attend a 100-person dinner before the larger event. Individuals spent up to $35,800 for a ticket, $5,000 of which will go to the Obama campaign. The remainder of the funds will go to the DNC.
Prior to the fundraisers, the president will hold video teleconferences in 1,100 birthday house parties across the country set to last between 10 and 15 minutes. In addition, top Democrats and campaign officials will host seven "surrogate fundraisers" throughout the country, according to Hogan.
Wednesday's events are the first held by the president during the third fundraising quarter. His last event on June 30th was in Philadelphia.
Republicans jumped on the string of events, accusing the president of playing politics amid rough economic times.
In a conference call with reporters, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said the president's leadership has been nonexistent, "unless of course it's taking the initiative to raise campaign cash."
"The fundraiser in chief is back in Chicago doing the one thing that he's really good at and that's raising money to save his job," Priebus said according to a transcript provided by the RNC.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released a video Wednesday morning in-step with his campaign message that "Obama isn't working." The nearly minute-long spot highlighted the rise in unemployment and drop in housing prices in Chicago since Obama took office.
The White House announced a Midwest bus tour on Wednesday to refocus the president's attention on the U.S. economy, one day after he signed legislation to raise the nation's debt ceiling.
– CNN's Alexander Mooney and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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Happy birthday mr,president!!
Happy BIrthday Mr. President.
God! I'm so eyes-openned for the thick skin of GOP. They do nothing themselves except almost pull the country down the cliff, protect all the greedy wall street guys and wealthiest with full mouth of lies. They oppose everything Obama tries to do to save the country and always point finger to him and shout "he's one-term president". You know what, because Obama is far smarter than you, he is so better than you, he threat you up to shit out. GOP, you should stop now! think about your own job. When you're "manufacturing the crisis", only the president and the democrat are working hard about the country.
$40,000.00 per night to rent the Aragon Ballroom.
Thousands spent by millionaires and billionaires per person to attend this birthday/campaign party.
$10,000.00 to have your photo taken with the couple.
Thousands of people losing their jobs and homes....living without.
Obama preaching how we need to 'tighten our belts', 'cut back', and take less vacations. PRICELESS!
The fundraiser in chief is back in Chicago doing the one thing that he's really good at and that's raising money to save his job," Priebus said
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Previously Rinsed is such a darling, isn't he?
Yes, we'll be celebrating the Prez' birthday in Georgetown with Wasserman Schulz in attendance.
Funds will be divided between his Victory Fund, and the DNC to whom I no longer mind contributing ever since Wasserman became its' feisty, no holds-barred, give as good as we get chairperson.
Cheers!!!
Happy Birthday Mr. President. Please continue fighting for the middle class. Eventually people will see the Tea Potty for what they really are – SELF SERVING.
President Obama isn't working?????????? Where the hell is congress???????? Doing their usual....NOT WORKING !!!
Priebus is like most republicans: inept, incompetent, hateful, anti-American, anti union, anti police, anti firemen, anti government, anti senior citizen, anti veteran, anti teacher, anti hispanic, anti black, anti environment, and anti poor; while being pro war, pro billionaire, pro foreign corporation, and a subscriber to Hoover Economics.
Sorry Mitt but Obama's working a lot better that you. Don't you have somewhere to go and misquote and misrepresent. Jerk!
Happy B-day Mr. President. Have fun
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!! I am sure there will be alot of ugly things said on this blog. I hope the day is a good one for you.....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT! I wonder how many fundraisers the Republican's will have while the FAA is in trouble.
The republican party are the worst of the worst . . . they create a chaotic situation and blames the president, they say no to everything, every policies designed to aid the economy doing this president's watch. The republican party and their candidates are behind the scenes sabotaging this great country. They are like wayward kids throwing rocks at cars on the highway causing all kinds of accidents and traffic back-ups and pointing the finger at the president who is also on that same highway driving out in front. Wake up america to what the republican party have become. Traitors . . . Obama 2012
Happy Birthday sir....real Americans love you and our first family...unfortunately the Tea Bagging Hobbits and their unfit queen Palin will attempt to destroy your celebration...agani Happy Birthday and real Americans do love you sir...we look forward to another four more...
Good job Mr. President i like the way your handling your job.
Keep it up. and God bless you and the American people.
Republicans are not Going no where neither winning the 2012 election.
keep it up Mr. President.
He has sold this country already to the corrupt union bosses and the oxygen thieves that don't work because they can't pass drug tests or are just the lazy products of the $3 trillion "Great Society" programs. He defames those of us who actually work and pay taxes as does that stooge Biden, calling us terrorists. What weird situation. Spread hate and riducule on those who actually pay taxes while taking our money and handing it out to corrupt union bosses and the lazy. And then tell us we have to have shared sacrifice. What are the weirdo Obozo supporters sharing?
Happy B-Day to the President.
Happy Birthday Mr. President!
Lots of love for you and your family from Naperville, IL