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Subscribe to RSSCHICAGO, Ill. -- Secret Service agents, bomb-sniffing dogs and police cordons usually mean a high-level politician or dignitary is nearby.
For the residents of a certain Kenwood enclave, it also means the neighbors are back in town. That was the scene Sunday evening on a certain stretch of Greenwood Avenue here as President Obama hosted some of his closest, $40,000 check-wielding friends for the first-ever fundraiser at his home.
Yuri Gripas / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama walks through the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago on Sunday.
Standing in a corner of the front yard of his classic Georgian-style brick home, the president greeted around 75 supporters sprawled out on his manicured green lawn, the lushness of which the president commented on.
“I have to say, the lawn hasn’t looked this good in a while. But I figured, but at least Michelle figured, that if everyone was coming over we ought to neaten up a little bit,” he said.
Speaking from a small stage that was surrounded with a small hedge, the president made light of the fact that he was once again asking his deep-pocketed donors to pony up.
“Being friends with a politician is a little bit like having a child perpetually in college because every so often you’ve got to write a big check. The good news is I’m about to graduate,” he joked as the crowd laughed.
But the comic asides did contain a serious undertone – that Obama is locked in a brutal spending war with his Republican rival Mitt Romney, and is currently being outspent.
Paul Ryan welcomed home with massive rally in Wisconsin
He cautioned his guests that the next three months of the campaign were not going to be easy, referring to, as he has frequently in recent appearances, the Olympics to make a campaign analogy.
“I just want to remind you this is not going to be a race like Usain Bolt where we’re like 40 yards ahead and we can just start jogging 10 feet before the finish line,” Obama said, name-dropping the famed Jamaican sprinter. “We’re going to have to run through the tape.”
After the quick stop at his own home, the president went back to once again being a guest as he attended two more fundraisers, both at homes in his neighborhood but none that could be called the Family Home of the United States.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
The president's fourth year at the White House in pictures — follow along as it happens.
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The Family Home of the United States? Really? Can they be any more blatant whose side they are on? Never heard them talk about the crawford ranch this way.
Crawford was considered the "Texas White House"
Unlike Obama, Bush did PRESIDENTIAL work in Crawford. He hosted many foreign dignitaries there. Obama is ashamed to go home to the South side of Chicago...LOOK at the mass murders taking place in his home town...and OBAMA IS SILENT.
Obama for President 2012!!! THE ONLY CHOICE
INTREPID 1
That is complete bovine excrement and you know it. Much to general of a statement to be lent any credibility at all. trash the planet ? what have you been petting shrubs with All gore ill bet you have never even met the Koch bros. I happen to Know for a fact that within their company a global environmental impact division exists.
"Some people actually place their country above their personal interests."
Yes, they do, people Like Ronald Wilson Regan, Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan which is obvious in the fact that Mitt picked Paul over many whom might have been A more politically expedient choice, or might have garnered a larger electoral % of votes. Ryan however, is great fiscally minded leader and some one who believes American conservative values are more important than government mandated European socialist utopianisim aka unsustainable/impossible heaven on earth lifestyles of elite aristocrats. Really if you break it down to a common denominator. In America you have the opportunity/privilege to create your own little slice of heaven. This Freedom was fought for, and blood was shed to provide that Liberty. Too many people in this country are willing to let the sacrifices made be forgotten or discounted. We the people Will stand up for our Liberty, we will not apologize for the courage of our conviction, we have fired the warning shot across the bow of tyranny. November 6th will be a battle for individual freedoms & righteousness. O,yea O,yea Miss liberty ring that bell let's not allow America to slip in to hell...
Exercise, your liberty.
.....................................Vote !
How much did the Koch Brothers pay you to post that BS?
Yes Obama 2012!!!!!!!
He can go back to Chicago to ask for money but don't ask him about how many died just this past weekend in Chicago. How in the hell he would allow himself to be photographed in front of that sign when regular Chicago is being shot shot dead in the streets is just crazy.
Your totally correct Jan. We are hearing about those slayings in Texas and how many are taking place. How sad the liberal media is trying to keep it under the radar.
10 more shot over the weekend in Chicago...and Obama is silent.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-10-shot-in-last-24-hours-20120811,0,5465761.story
He & Michelle are re-opening their home for residential use beginning but not limited to January 20th 2013 of course that will be after an extended vacation.
Hey, possibly they will foot the bill for that one. On 2nd thought we probably will, get stuck with the expensive bill for that severance also. Well worth it to see them leave Washington DC. Thanks Barry good luck with your book an speaking tour...
Vote R&R Nov. 6th 2012
What will Obama do differently if reelected?
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."
Hopefully get a little help from Congress.
Will the police be checking attendance at this event? They need to be on the look out for Chicago Mafiosa, and other Chicago style criminal politicians, a la Rahm Emmanuel. Obama is the worst president in US history. He is an unqualified, incompetent failure and he needs to be sent back home to Chicago, not for fund-raising events, but for permanent residency forever. I can't wait for Obama to become a distant memory, a nightmare that I awakened from after four years of economic and political horror tales.
Romney never had a plan of his own that he could even speak of. He desperately needed to find anyone with an "IDEA" a plan.
Any plan that Romney could jump on he did. Looks like it's going to be Ryan's idea, (IDEA: an idea arises in a reflex, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection) plan.
To me, it makes Romney look even more incompetent then before.
Romney never had a plan of his own that he could even speak of. He desperately needed to find anyone with an "IDEA" a plan.
Any plan that Romney could jump on he did. Looks like it's going to be Ryan's (IDEA; an idea arises in a reflex, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection) plan.
To me, it makes Romney look even more incompetent than before.
yeah,thats kinda funny thinking Joe "schnapps" Biden had a plan for Barry to rely on,eh?..rofl...
How would you know anything about Romney? The media keeps him off the air, and constantly runs him down with lies, distortions and omissions.
THE FIX IS IN, AND LIBERALS ARE BEING KEPT IN THE DARK BY A PERNICIOUS, BIASED AND DISHONEST ANTI-AMERICAN MEDIA!
Got that, MSNBC?????????
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/dec/20/lie-year-democrats-claims-republicans-voted-end-me/
Congressman Paul Ryan, Party of NO!
If someone was intent on raping you, wouldn't YOU say no?
Obama needs to go, NOW!!!!
I wish the elections would hurry up and arrive..4 years of presidential campaigning is quite enough for me....
R & R in 2012. Ryan saved Wisconson from Bankrupcy within 2 years. Dems still don't have a budget after 4?
Obama- over 200 fundraisers, most in history by any president. 8.3%unemployment. over 100 games of golf. Gas prices are on an upward spiral, 30 cents in 1 month. Has no plans on how to fix any problems facing the nation?
I think it's time for some new blood!
WHAT??? Barry's back in Chicago.... must be so he can WRITE-OFF the house on his taxes this next year..... he'll need it with the new job.............
No,i think he misses the bath houses...Barry has given a whole new meaning to "Pick up games"...
I understand that when Barry approached Joe Biden,as to what he could offer in the way of an economic plan,Joe replied,"just drink this".....
If Obama ever makes his way back to the White House, will someone show him where the Oval Office is? By the way, who's minding the store in his absence, Crazy Joe?
I wonder if one of those houses was owned by Bill Ayres?
The right is to ignorant and brain-washed to have any idea of how much this president has helped this country,,,,
we can list the facts time after time and they still won't believe them,,
they have lost their way, and I can see how that happened with all the propaganda, lies, and twisted half-truths they have pumped into their heads on a daily basis,,,
I come on this vine, wanting to take the high road, but find myself being sucked into the idiocy that these posters spew,,,shame on me,,, but more shame on those who refuse to get the facts and instead would rather hate and divide this country,,,,,
The republican way,,,,,make the masses as ignorant as you can, and maybe you'll get the votes you need to complete your job of destroying our country for your rich masters!!!!!
That would be "too" ignorant, and the rest of your comment is "too".
I'm going to guess that President BO (aka Stinky) is your guy? So are you union..... sayin' what your bosses tell you, or just one of the motivationally impaired that make up the bulk of Stinky's constituency?
Do you think President BO (aka Stinky) cut the lawn Hisself?
Have the progressives decided yet who they're going to run in November to challenge Republicans? They can't be that stupid to nominate this creep again, are they? What about that bi-sexual woman they threw under the bus in 2008? She's gotten a lot uglier since then, but she's probably do a much better job than Stinks.
However, if you are in a union or motivationally impaired, Stinky's your guy!!
Lie of the Year 2011: 'Republicans voted to end Medicare'
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/dec/20/lie-year-democrats-claims-republicans-voted-end-me/
WiteSoxFan is a bigot
A gala for local members of organized crime and convicted terrorists was held at the Obama family estate. This lovely property was purchased with assistance of a convicted criminal/typical democrat in the traditionally shady way all politicians in Chicago purchase their homes.
Wouldn't it be a Real News story on days that this President WAS NOT having a fund raiser?????????
Sure would a lot less stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I wonder if President Obama's friend, the Chicago real estate magnate Tony Rezko, who helped Obama buy his home at 50% below market value, was in attendance?
Doubtful - he is still in jail as a convicted felon is he not?
What do you do when the bus you are on is hurdling toward the cliff driven
by a madman, while half the passengers are shouting for him to go faster? Do
you sit back and say, "Gosh, what can I do, he is the bus driver after
all. Guess I'll just relax and calmly sail into the abyss."
Regardless of the outcome of this next election, we shall still be at each
other's throats, still speeding toward the fall.
There is only one solution, and it will be very messy.