President Barack Obama speaks at USC Shoah Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2014 in Century City, California. ; Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for USC Shoah Foundation
President Obama will arrive in Los Angeles Wednesday as part of his West Coast fundraising tour. Along with raising money for the Dems for November's midterm elections, the President will also be giving a talk at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
For Angelenos, who are no strangers to the President's frequent Southland visits, that means road closures and nightmarish traffic jams. But the President's trip this time around is also drawing criticism of a different sort. Republican National Committee spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski is one among many saying that he should devote his time to more urgent matters instead.
"With all that's happening in our country and around the world — wildfires, droughts and international crises, I think everyone can agree the last thing the president should be doing is fundraising," Kukowski said in a statement Tuesday.
The White House has defended the fundraising trips, but did cancel the President's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that had been scheduled for Wednesday night.
Guest:
Tony Quinn, Sacramento-based political analyst and co-editor of the California Target Book, which provides analysis of State Assembly, State Senate and Congressional races in California.
Ken Goldstein, professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco. He also teaches in the school’s Masters’ Program in Public Affairs, focusing on the skills needed to run a modern political campaign