NEW: Michelle Obama Coming to RI for Fundraiser
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
First Lady Michelle Obama will be coming to Rhode Island next month for a campaign fundraiser at the former of former Providence mayor and long-time Clinton supporter Joe Paolino.
The fundraiser is Sept. 30 at Paolino’s home on the East Side of Providence. Tickets start at $1,000 and go all the way up to $35,800. Paolino said organizers hope the even raises hundreds of thousands of dollars. “I don’t want to put a figure on it,” he said this evening.
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Those who donate $5,000 will get a picture taken with Obama. Those who contribute the maximum will meet with her privately before the event. Money raised will go into a general fund to benefit Obama’s re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
“We’re looking to have a great event,” Paolino said.
‘I don’t see how they can beat him’
With Hillary Clinton not involved in the race and Obama doing a “great job” as President, Paolino said he was pleased to back Obama. He said plans for the fundraiser came together this at an event for financial supporters of Obama held in Washington, DC earlier this week.
Paolino said the host committee for the event includes House Speaker Gordon Fox and former state Democratic chairman Mark Weiner. Organizers are coordinating Obama’s visit to Rhode Island with the staff for Mayor Angel Taveras and Governor Lincoln Chafee.
In an interview, Paolino said he isn’t too concerned about Obama’s GOP challengers in the general election. “I don’t see how they can beat him,” Paolino said. “I don’t see anything there. I don’t see any substance.”
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