Obama returns to Chicago hometown for fundraisers

[January 11, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is returning to his hometown of Chicago to raise campaign cash Wednesday, holding fundraisers a day after Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Republican primary.

Romney has established himself as the president's leading challenger, with wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Obama's campaign has hauled in more than $150 million through September, but Democrats say they will need to compete with Republican-leaning outside groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to back specific candidates.

Obama is expected to speak to more than 500 supporters at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with tickets starting at $44 per person. He will also attend a pair of pricier fundraisers, with tickets beginning at $7,500 for one event and $35,800 per couple for the other.

[Associated Press; By KEN THOMAS]

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