August 3, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- President Barack Obama comes home to Chicago Wednesday to celebrate his 50th birthday and raise some money.
Obama will be taking Air Force One in early Wednesday evening and leaving later that night. This will be President Obama's tenth trip home to Chicago since he took office, a quick trip, but a break from the bruising politics of Washington.
"It is time for us to go to work creating jobs and start moving this economy forward," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Tuesday. "He celebrates his 50th birthday in Illinois, a state that has the 50th worst deficit in the country, so I hope they talk about that at his birthday party," said Pat Brady, Illinois Republic Party Chairman.
Workers were busy setting up for the president's birthday bash at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence. The party doubles as a fundraiser. It was nearly canceled due to the debt crisis in Washington. Political scientists say the debt crisis was not the best moment for the president.
"I think most people see Obama as really trying to get something done that was important. The downside is that he didn't seem too powerful enough to get it through easily," said Dick Simpson, UIC political science dept.
Tea party activists plan to protest outside the president's party. While conservatives succeeded in forcing cuts to social programs important to Democrats, it may not help their chances in next year's election.
"Even though people may be upset right now, it does not mean that these people will vote against Obama and for the Republican candidate," said Laurel Harbridge, Northwestern University.
Jennifer Hudson and Herbie Hancock will be some of the celebrity performers at Wednesday night's fund-raiser. The birthday bash will cost $35,800 per couple and that includes a private dinner and the concert. Some people were reportedly able to get general admission tickets to the concert starting at $200.
No comments:
Post a Comment