Debt talks rain on Obama 50th birthday parade

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, July 22, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Reed

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, July 22, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Jason Reed

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WASHINGTON | Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:25am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rancorous negotiations with congressional Republicans over how best to deal with the U.S. budget deficit may keep President Barack Obama away from his own 50th birthday party in Chicago next month.

Obama has canceled a series of campaign fundraisers this month to stay in Washington for the tense negotiations that have angered the U.S. public, worried financial markets and raised fears of a first-ever U.S. debt default.

He also will not attend a birthday bash in Chicago on August 3 if there is not a deal, a campaign official said on Monday.

"The president will not attend the event in Chicago if negotiations are ongoing," the official said.

Obama turns 50 on August 4, and the Democratic president has planned events in his hometown on August 3 to raise money for his 2012 re-election campaign, which the Chicago Sun-Times had reported were to include a birthday concert with celebrity performances and dinner with the president.

Tickets for the events ranged from $50 a person to $35,800 a couple.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have both canceled fundraisers this month that would have raised millions of dollars for their re-election war chest, the campaign official said.

Obama canceled a planned trip to California and Seattle, put off a fundraiser in New York and will not appear at two events in Washington that were set for Monday. Biden will substitute for Obama at one event; the other was canceled.

Biden was supposed to travel to Atlanta, Nashville and Dallas for fundraisers.

Obama's last campaign fundraiser was on June 30 in Pennsylvania.

Obama reported raising $86 million in the quarter ended on June 30, far eclipsing the money raised by any of the Republicans vying for their party's nomination to compete against him in the 2012 president election.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jackie Frank)
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Comments (6)
DrJJJJ wrote:
It’s lonely at the top- I’ll give ya that and wish you well! However, our government now accounts for 40% of US GDP (heard it in the National news) If this is correct, we’re beyond the tipping point and must downsize government at any cost! Also, the National debt will exceed 100% of US GDP starting with next weeks credit limit expansion! It’s down hill from here Mr. President unless you & congress find the will to change business as usual! We’re counting on you to do the right thing! Honesty is the best policy!

Jul 25, 2011 11:24am EDT  --  Report as abuse
policywhiz wrote:
If he was a real grown up at 50 he would know he could not spend our country out of debt and he would do the right thing.

Jul 25, 2011 12:56pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
triplehex wrote:
Instead of champagne, have a glass of blood with an oil chaser!

Jul 25, 2011 12:56pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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