Obama campaigns in Seattle, day after gay marriage endorsement
»Play Video
SEATTLE - A day after his historic endorsement of same-sex marriage, President Obama came to Seattle for another whirlwind campaign swing through the Emerald City.
Air Force One touched down at Boeing Field at about 11:52 a.m. under sunny skies, and Obama stepped off the plane at noon, accompanied by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
The president was welcomed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and other dignitaries.
It is Obama's third visit to Seattle in the past nine months, and undoubtedly generated more buzz than it would have, coming fresh on the heels of his announced support of gay marriage on Wednesday. The president was expected to raise at least $3 million at two campaign events in the city.
The president’s motorcade headed out immediately for his first fund-raiser from Boeing Field, arriving at about 12:35 p.m. at the East Seattle home of Ann and Bruce Blume, which cost each couple in attendance a cool $35,800. Among the guests was local glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.
Several people gathered along local streets near the home, some of them waving signs thanking the president for his new support of gay marriage.
His limousine passed one woman holding an infant and a sign that said: "Thank you! Mr. President for standing up for my mommys!"
Speaking to about 70 supporters at the Blumes' home overlooking Lake Washington, Obama made no mention of gay marriage during brief remarks that reporters were able to hear. He stuck to the main issue of his campaign - the economy.
"The country is on a path of great strength and great promise," he said. "Slowly, in fits and starts, the economy is getting stronger."
He did not mention Romney by name but took a swipe at Republicans, saying the election will boil down to two competing views: "Do we believe that we grow together or do we believe that you're on your own?"
Obama departed his first event just before 2 p.m., then headed for the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle, where more crowds had gathered along the streets of his expected route.
Tickets for that event ranged from $100 for a cheap seat to $5,000 for lunch and a photo with the president.
The president began speaking there at 3 p.m., telling supporters that America can ill afford to return to Republican leadership, which he said caused the Great Recession that began in 2008 and is only now showing signs of ending.
"The last thing we can afford is a return to the policies that got us here in the first place. ... We've got to move forward," Obama told the crowd.
He said his vision for a better America applies to everyone, "no matter what you look like, no matter what your last name, no matter who you love."
Without referring directly to marriage, Obama expanded on the theme of same-sex equality.
"We are moving forward to a country where every American is treated with dignity and with respect and here in Washington you'll have the chance to make your voice heard on the issue of making sure that everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, is treated fairly," Obama said. "You'll have a chance to weigh in on this. We are a nation that treats people fairly."
Washington state has passed a law approving same-sex marriage, but opponents in Washington are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative to overturn the law and declare marriage as union of man and woman.
Outside the Paramount, 44-year-old Teri McClain was holding a double-sided sign expressing gratitude to the president for "evolving on same-sex marriage."
"He's looking out for the good of the people, and this is what the people want," McClain said.
The president wrapped up his speech at about 3:40 p.m. and headed back to Boeing Field where he boarded Air Force One and took off for the next leg of his fund-raising trip.
Obama is next scheduled to dive into the embrace of Hollywood's wealthy elite at a gala fund-raising event at the home of movie star George Clooney. That visit could well be the most lucrative event in the history of presidential campaigning, bringing in an estimated $15 million.
Obama was last here in Seattle on Feb. 17 for a $35,800-a-couple event at the Medina home of Jeff and Susan Brotman. The president was also feted at a $1,000-per-person fundraiser at the Bellevue Westin.
Last September, Obama was hosted for a $35,800 event at the home of Jon Shirley, ex-president and chief operating officer at Microsoft.
Watch President Obama's arrival at Boeing Field
Air Force One touched down at Boeing Field at about 11:52 a.m. under sunny skies, and Obama stepped off the plane at noon, accompanied by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
The president was welcomed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and other dignitaries.
It is Obama's third visit to Seattle in the past nine months, and undoubtedly generated more buzz than it would have, coming fresh on the heels of his announced support of gay marriage on Wednesday. The president was expected to raise at least $3 million at two campaign events in the city.
The president’s motorcade headed out immediately for his first fund-raiser from Boeing Field, arriving at about 12:35 p.m. at the East Seattle home of Ann and Bruce Blume, which cost each couple in attendance a cool $35,800. Among the guests was local glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.
Several people gathered along local streets near the home, some of them waving signs thanking the president for his new support of gay marriage.
His limousine passed one woman holding an infant and a sign that said: "Thank you! Mr. President for standing up for my mommys!"
Speaking to about 70 supporters at the Blumes' home overlooking Lake Washington, Obama made no mention of gay marriage during brief remarks that reporters were able to hear. He stuck to the main issue of his campaign - the economy.
"The country is on a path of great strength and great promise," he said. "Slowly, in fits and starts, the economy is getting stronger."
He did not mention Romney by name but took a swipe at Republicans, saying the election will boil down to two competing views: "Do we believe that we grow together or do we believe that you're on your own?"
Obama departed his first event just before 2 p.m., then headed for the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle, where more crowds had gathered along the streets of his expected route.
Tickets for that event ranged from $100 for a cheap seat to $5,000 for lunch and a photo with the president.
The president began speaking there at 3 p.m., telling supporters that America can ill afford to return to Republican leadership, which he said caused the Great Recession that began in 2008 and is only now showing signs of ending.
"The last thing we can afford is a return to the policies that got us here in the first place. ... We've got to move forward," Obama told the crowd.
He said his vision for a better America applies to everyone, "no matter what you look like, no matter what your last name, no matter who you love."
Without referring directly to marriage, Obama expanded on the theme of same-sex equality.
"We are moving forward to a country where every American is treated with dignity and with respect and here in Washington you'll have the chance to make your voice heard on the issue of making sure that everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, is treated fairly," Obama said. "You'll have a chance to weigh in on this. We are a nation that treats people fairly."
Washington state has passed a law approving same-sex marriage, but opponents in Washington are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative to overturn the law and declare marriage as union of man and woman.
Outside the Paramount, 44-year-old Teri McClain was holding a double-sided sign expressing gratitude to the president for "evolving on same-sex marriage."
"He's looking out for the good of the people, and this is what the people want," McClain said.
The president wrapped up his speech at about 3:40 p.m. and headed back to Boeing Field where he boarded Air Force One and took off for the next leg of his fund-raising trip.
Obama is next scheduled to dive into the embrace of Hollywood's wealthy elite at a gala fund-raising event at the home of movie star George Clooney. That visit could well be the most lucrative event in the history of presidential campaigning, bringing in an estimated $15 million.
Obama was last here in Seattle on Feb. 17 for a $35,800-a-couple event at the Medina home of Jeff and Susan Brotman. The president was also feted at a $1,000-per-person fundraiser at the Bellevue Westin.
Last September, Obama was hosted for a $35,800 event at the home of Jon Shirley, ex-president and chief operating officer at Microsoft.
Watch President Obama's arrival at Boeing Field
