Houstonian Corner (V14-I12)

Obama Defies Bad Economy: Raises $3.40 Million in Five Hours in Houston

Community Members Turned Out to Support Re-Elect Obama Campaign

Houston, Texas (PC/PJ): This past Friday, President Barack Hussein Obama II came to Houston between 5:30pm-10:30pm and took away $3.4 million from Texas donors for his re-election bid. Our media has received sentiments from many, saying people were stunned that despite the general public feeling the real pinch of the bad economy, there is so much money out there to be spared for a presidential campaign.

Last Friday it was profusely raining delaying president’s flight by one and half hour. Several roads were blocked that evening due to rain and then due to motorcade of President Obama, as many Houstonians were seen yelling out of their cars in agony of being trapped in their cars, trying to reach their homes for the weekend.

Two main events were held during this visit. One was a 600 persons rally at Minute Maid Park, where everyone paid $500. Then as part of this rally, there was a VIP reception with prominent Houston leaders and donors, who paid $10,000 as entrance fees.

Later on in the evening, there was a 70 persons’ dinner with the president at the River Oaks home of President of Greater Houston partnership Tony Chase and Dina Alsowayel, where per person contribution was $38,500. Prominent Pakistani Attorney Noman Husain was the Co-Chair of this event, and instrumental in raising good sums of money for the President’s visit to Houston, which was acknowledged by President Obama at the event. Prominent Pakistani Businessman from Midland Texas Syed Javaid Anwar of Midland Energy, was also present, and raised some important issues about the Oil & Gas industry, which were duly acknowledged by the President. Others Pakistani’s at the dinner were Mrs. Kamila Husain, Faris Husain, Nasir Ali, Beena Ali, Aijaz Haq, and Samina Haq.

Earlier at the Minute Maid Park VIP reception, good number Pakistani-American supporters came out for the President, including President of Houston Karachi Sister City Association Muhammad Saeed Sheikh. While greeting President Obama, Mr. Sheikh thanked for his support towards Pakistan, and assured that the Pakistani-American community’s support will be for his re-election bid. The President replied in Urdu by saying “Shukrai.”

Dr. Azam Kundi of Shifa Foundation, while talking to President, raised some critical issues about the Health Care Legislature. Other prominent Community Members, who were present were Lutfi  Hassan, and Shahid Javed from Beaumont Texas.

Following the reception at the public event President Obama gave a brief 15 minute speech about his administration’s accomplishments along with some of the challenges that await the next president. He urged all Americans to work together, as they have done so in the past. Obama also tried to raise support for his landmark health care legislation, which is sure to be a key issue in this upcoming election. Obama also touched on the revival of American automobile companies, including GM, which has started to become profitable again after receiving federal government assistance. Finally, President Obama noted that he fulfilled his promise to end US military action in Iraq, and called for changes in the tax system.

A large numbers of Congressional and City officials were present at the rally, which included Congressman AL Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Annise Parker, Congressman Gene Green, City Controller Ron Green, and members of the City Council.

Cornyn to Obama: Stop Treating Texas Like an ATM

Virginia: One of Texas’ Republican senators panned President Obama’s latest fundraising trip to the Lone Star State today, saying the commander in chief needs to stop using Texas as an “ATM.”

After making remarks on the economy, while touring a Rolls Royce-Crosspointe plant in Virginia, the president will jet down to Houston for an early evening campaign event at Minute Maid Park. Then he’ll speak at another fundraiser at a private home before flying back to Andrews Air Force Base, and arriving back at the White House at 1am.

“Barely 24 hours after maneuvering behind the scenes to defeat the Keystone pipeline and the Gulf Coast jobs that come with it, the President again will use Texas to replenish his campaign coffers,” Sen. John Cornyn said in a statement.

“Texans deserve a Commander-in-Chief whose primary concern is creating more jobs for them, not using our state as an ATM to protect his own.”

Obama made Texas his first fundraising stop after the killing of Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

Back then, Cornyn’s camp similarly blasted the president.

“It’s offensive that the president will make the time to use Texas as an ATM just days after he denied federal assistance for the thousands of wildfires that have ravaged Texas for months,” Cornyn spokesman Kevin McLaughlin said.

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