Obama holds private fundraiser at Washington hotel

[February 11, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is raising money for his re-election campaign from a small group of wealthy donors who each paid $35,800 to meet with him at a hotel near the White House.

Friday's fundraiser at the upscale Jefferson Hotel was closed to media coverage. Obama's campaign said about 20 people attended.

Obama has been raising money in preparation for a tough challenge against his eventual Republican opponent. Through the end of 2011, Obama had raised more than $220 million for his re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

[Associated Press]

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