By Kevin McCauley
MWW Group chief Michael Kempner last night hosted President Obama at a fundraiser at his New Jersey home. The $30,400-a-plate dinner generated $1.5M for the Democratic National Committee.
File photo: Kempner and Obama |
The Star-Ledger identified Kempner as a "prolific Democratic fundraiser" and "CEO of the top East Rutherford PR and lobbying firm." It noted that his hometown of Cresskill is a "Republican stronghold."
The Marine One helicopter touched down at 5:50 p.m. on a soccer field across from Cresskill's volunteer firehouse. The presidential motorcade left for Kempner's house in the Tammy Brook development at 6 p.m.
Obama gave a 10-minute speech at the fundraiser talking about the White House's handling of the economic crisis and healthcare reform. Education is the next issue to be tackled, according to the president.
Obama spoke of the urgency to retain both House and Senate in Democratic hands and warned if Republicans take over "we're going to start going backwards." The president stayed for two hours after his remarks.
Obama was in the Garden State for about three hours, from landing to takeoff at Newark Liberty International Airport.
He last visited New Jersey in July, dropping into a sandwich shop in Edison.
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