As Crises Rage, Obama Returns to L.A. for More Fundraising

Once again, Obama is coming to Los Angeles for fundraising and other events. This time the trip will highlighted by a Thursday evening event at the Brentwood-area home of actress Gwyneth Paltrow, which will no doubt create commuting problems (nicknamed Obamajams) for those on the west side of the city. Tickets to the event start at $1,000-per-person to attend a reception and run up to $32,400 for the reception, plus dinner and greeting and photo with the president. The money is going to the Democratic National Committee, which also held a contest to win a trip to L.A. to attend and meet the president.

Almost as predictable as worries about Obamajams are protests surrounding the commander-in-chief. Mysterious "Obama Drone" posters have popped up in Paltrow's neighborhood, featuring the actress wearing an Obama campaign button and Photoshopped in front of an unmanned aircraft. The website Curbed LA credited the work to rightwing street artist Sabo.

On Thursday, before the Paltrow reception, Obama is scheduled to visit Cross Campus, a Santa Monica workspace for startup tech companies. The president will tour the facility and then hold a townhall with those who work there.

Also on the president's schedule is a $15,000-per person "roundtable" discussion fundraiser for the DNC on Friday morning at the home of restaurateur Michael Chow and his wife Eva, a fashion designer. It will be followed by a trek to San Dimas, where he will announce the designation of about half of the San Gabriel Mountains as a national monument.

It was a bit of a surprise that Obama scheduled yet another visit to Los Angeles this year -- he visited in July to raise money at the homes of Shonda Rhimes and LiveNation's Michael Rapin -- but Democrats are in a tough race to retain control of the Senate.

Earlier this week, Vice President Joseph Biden was in Los Angeles for a fundraiser for Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), who is seeking a Senate seat in that state, and another event at the home of Fox's Jim Gianopulos. The Gianopulos event raised money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and also featured House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Biden also appeared with Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti at an event about raising the minimum wage.