Obama in S.F. for Boxer faces critics on spill

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That is a whole lot of $$.



Obama in S.F. for Boxer faces critics on spill

Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer


.............Outside the hotel, an eclectic crowd gathered to shout out support or opposition to immigration and health care reforms, and one protester opposed to oil drilling in the Arctic dressed as a polar bear.

Inside during the reception, a heckler who shouted, "Move faster on don't ask, don't tell," briefly interrupted Obama's address. However, the president appeared unflustered, joking that the protester should "read the newspapers" and spend his money on going to events with "a guy who doesn't support your point of view." He finished the exchange with, "Come on man, I'm dealing with Congress, it takes time."

Off to the Gettys'

After the Fairmont event, which was expected to raise at least $1.7 million from supporters who paid $250 to $2,000 for tickets, Obama was whisked to an exclusive VIP dinner at the Broadway mansion of wealthy oil heir Gordon Getty and his wife, Ann.

Inside the lavish home of the philanthropist son of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, some 80 donors wrote checks for $35,200 per couple to meet the president and have their photo taken with him. Boxer's campaign raised $600,000 from the two events, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee took in $1.1 million, organizers said.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/05/26/MNOJ1DKAIQ.DTL#ixzz0p3Cia7GA