WASHINGTON (AP) – In the midst of their clash over trade policy, President Barack Obama and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi are coming together in the common cause of raising campaign cash during a presidential visit to California beginning Thursday.
Obama’s four-day trip is heavy on high-dollar fundraisers during a low-point of party unity, but also features an interview with a comedian who runs a podcast out of his garage, an address to mayors and the prospect of golf during a Father’s Day weekend with his family overseas.
In a twist of awkward timing, Pelosi is bringing the president to her San Francisco district for his first fundraiser to benefit Democratic House candidates in the 2016 race – including many of the very lawmakers who delivered Obama a stinging defeat last week in his effort to complete trade negotiations with 11 Pacific Rim nations.
“This is the family reunion that takes place right after the big blowout,” said Mo Elleithee, executive director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service and the former spokesman for the DNC. “You still are going to go to the reunion and you still are family.”
The Friday afternoon event with Pelosi is one of four fundraisers Obama plans to headline over the next two days, with ticket prices for each costing up to $33,400. He also plans to raise money for the Democratic National Committee, including two more intimate closed-door discussions and a bigger Beverly Hills event Thursday night hosted by filmmaker Tyler Perry.