President Obama raises $5 million in seven hours in New York City

theGRIO REPORT - President Obama was in New York on Thursday evening on a whirlwind fundraising tour, raising $5 million in a mere seven hours..

alexisgarrettstodghill

Mar 2, 2012

President Obama was in New York on Thursday evening on a whirlwind fundraising tour. In a mere seven hours, the leader of the free world was able to amass $5 million in campaign contributions garnered from Gotham’s well-heeled citizens.

The headlining event of the night was a $35,000 per plate fête held at ABC Kitchen, an organic restaurant on E. 18th street, hosted by celebrity chef and hot spot co-owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

After paying a premium to dine with the president, Democratic party patrons joined the Commander-in-Chief at the nearby ABC Carpet & Home furnishings emporium. There, the stylish crowd jammed with the president to live tunes served up by The Roots and Ben Folds.

The other three fundraisers included a reception held at “a Manhattan penthouse,” according to the New York Daily News.

Obama is familiar with the deep pockets and effusive support available to him and the Democratic National Committee via the Big Apple. In March 2011, he attended a dinner at popular Harlem restaurant Red Rooster that pulled in an astounding $1.5 million through a ”$30,800-a-plate soiree,” the Daily News also reported.