Obama set for high-profile Vegas fundraiser
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/26/art.vegas.gi.jpg caption="President Obama will be in Las Vegas Tuesday to headline a fundraising event for Harry Reid."](CNN) - President Obama is set for a night out in Las Vegas Tuesday, but his latest foray to the city of lights is entirely business related.
The president is slated to headline a fundraising event at Caesar's Palace for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat whose approval ratings back home have sunk below 40 percent as his re-election campaign gears up.
The star-studded event, set to raise at least $1 million for Reid's campaign coffers, will take place in Caesar's Coliseum - the 4,000 seat auditorium where singer Bette Midler regularly performs.
A Reid spokesman tells CNN that Midler is among the entertainers on hand for the evening, as well as Vegas performer Clint Holmes, comedienne Rita Rudner, and singers Sheryl Crow and Rachel Yamagata.
The fundraiser, during which Reid and Obama will speak, couldn't come at a better time for the Senate's top Democrat, who is considered among the most vulnerable in the chamber despite the fact Republicans are still scrambling to find a serious opponent to challenge him.
Despite the lack of official opposition, a Mason-Dixon survey released earlier this month suggests only about a third of Nevada's voters would vote to re-elect Reid to a fifth Senate term, while 45 percent said they would definitely vote for another candidate.
Meanwhile, conservative political action committee Our Country Deserves Better is already gunning to capitalize on Reid's sagging poll numbers, launching what they call a "a television, radio, and Internet advertising blitz throughout the state of Nevada reminding voters that Harry Reid has stiffed taxpayers with huge government bailouts and wasteful pork-barrel spending."
The conservative PAC said it would spend over $100,000 in its initial ad campaign, and pledged to dish out over $1 million between now and the November 2010 midterm elections.
"Republicans were successful in defeating Sen. Reid's predecessor, Tom Daschle, in 2004," said CNN Political Editor Mark Preston. "They have now focusing their efforts on trying to defeat another Democratic leader in the next election."
Obama plans to remain in Nevada Wednesday for a visit to Nellis Air Force Base for a tour of the facility's solar electric plant, the largest in North America. The president then heads to Beverly Hills for a pair of fundraisers sponsored by the Democratic National Committee.
–CNN's Ed Henry, Shawna Shepherd and Mark Preston contributed to this report
More right wing whining on these boards.....
Harry Reid is majority leader. Obama is smart enough to know that without Reid's support, his agenda is dead. As President he has to make such choices. Why is that so hard for you guys to comprehend? Would it have mattered if he was flying to Oregon or Washington to support their senators? If he flew to San Francisco for a fundraiser for Dianne Feinstein?? Context, people.
And, yes, there is a difference between this and spending millions to have a "corporate retreat" in Vegas.
Money is what the GOPers understand, and President Obama knows how to raise it. So don't hate, celebrate the fact that we have a popular president who the people are supporting. He will raise more money and lots of it. Get over yourselves.
proud member of theParty of No...... nope, it was the one who rode back to Texas, and the thief who is now showing his face.
After Obama's comment about companies NOT coming here to Las Vegas, causing millions of dollars not to be spent here, I for 1 WON'T be attending, but Mayor Oscar Goodman probably will, and I hope he questions him about that slap!!!!
Winston Churchill once said: "The farther backwards you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see“. It would be wise to look at the US history of Nevada (and Las Vegas) before one makes unintelligent comments. P. S.: Visiting a little big city and tying it in with a visit to Nellis Air Force Base (don't they have the nation's largest solar electric plant?) makes sense.
Proud Member..Party of No May 26th, 2009 5:48 pm ET
Three words: Worst President Ever!
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Two Words:
Whig Party
Dems would do MUCH better to support another candidate! It's too bad Harry doesn't retire and hand the baton to another, much more capable person.
I am voting for Reid in the next election! He is a good man who listens to his constituents. Why would NV give up a high ranking position in Congress? We are not stupid! Whenever I call or send Reid an email, he response in a coherent and detailed manner. He is honest with his position. When I send Ensign a letter or call, I get a nonsensical response that usually does not even adress what I called or emailed about! Reid is pro-life and anti-gay marriage, which I disagree with him on, but that will not stop me from voting for him, because he cares about the US and NV (and his constituents).
gt – Reid campaigns AGAINST Yucca Mountain. You republicans are so ill informed it is SCARY!
AND BUSH took 3 out of his 8 years on vacation! Why weren't any of you crying about that! For awhile he campaigned for numerous people until he became too inpopular to be seen standing next to other Republicans.
I'm not sue I agree with the trip to Vegas nonetheless this is what he (our President) has chosen to do. You Repukes make me sick. How else is he suppose to get to Vegas, American Airlines? Your guy didn't win face it! Please stop crying about every move President Obama makes you're worse than my 2 year old niece!!
Yoyolite: the idiocity of your comments are only outshaddowed by your utter stupidity! Wake up silly one!
It's OK for B.O. and all of his rich democratic friends and fundraisers to live it up in Vegas, but not the rest of us.......am I the only person who sees WHAT A HYPOCRITE THIS GUY IS?!!
Obama as usual.......................the American people must practice what I preach, but I don't have to practice what I preach. I'll (Obama) spend spend spend your tax dollars, but you (Americans) must cut back and tighten your belt because I'll (Obama) need all the taxes from you (Americans) that I can drain out of you.
Besides, why does Harry Reid need a fundraiser. I've yet to meet a Democrat in government that isn't worth millions. Same goes for a Republicans in government.
This has been a hoot! Uh, the back and forth about this being in Vegas tonight- I guess you would have to be from around here to know that there really isn't any other place in Southern Nevada with the ability to hold a crowd this size! Like him or not, this is where Reid is from. Now think, is it at all possible that Obama is SUPPORTING his base? Supporting his constituents? Gawd knows he is the only one to ever do something to support his own party.
I don't really care for Reid and find it amusing that he is so low in the polls in his own state. And I really don't care if Nevada elects another Democrat. I would soooooooo love seeing Reid lose though. His numbers are lower than the Republicans which tells me that most Democrats aren't as far left as Reid/Pelosi.
And to the "posters" here, please lose the buzz-words and party talking points. Also, the 4th grade insults that I see people from both sides tossing out here really does nothing to further the debate.
and all of you ,verb, noun ,etc,, nazis.. at least , we have the power of speech,, fo now mo fos,, ise don care ise gots my free ,
How can obama afford to use our tax dollars to jet to LasVegas to fund raise for a piece of crap like reid? Believe me this is not how REAL AMERICAN TAX PAYERS want to see their tax dollars spent. Take that jet fuel money and pay reid to leave office. Didn't talk out of both sides of his mouth obama just tell ceo's not to be wasting money jetting here and there. Our country is in no better financial shape then these corporations so why doesn't he practice what he preaches?
laverne .. wake up u stupid cow... shirley has left the farm... as most people realize when a dick shows up.. hi im dick.. im taking over,, ty and bang if u dont like it
I'm a Democrat, but wouldn't mind seeing new a new leader of the DNC-controlled Congress. Something about Reid always rubbed me the wrong way, although I think he's a decent guy. I just think both houses should use leaders who are a little less typical politicians like Pelosi and Reid and a little more down to earth and new wave like Obama.
Is this the same clown who was appalled that automakers would host an event for their customers in Vegas?
North Korea is launching missles into the Sea of Japan and our President is on a fundraising trip for Prince Harry. I can't wait for this guy to get ousted from office in the mid-term elections. The country is taking note of our absentee President and will speak up in 2010.
The biggest problem with you dummycrats is you don't listen. Obummer and his people were the ones raising cain about the waste not Bush, so suck it up you crybabies.
Reid sucks. Just another arrogant, greedy politician!
Who care's if Gov. Gibbons didn't show up; he'll be thrown out of office anyway, corrupt as he is!!! Since the Mormons are running the Casinos, send them all back to Salt Lake City, hypocrites and Republicans that they are. hahaah