It’s not a surprise to those who pay attention that Barack Obama talks about himself a lot. Let’s be honest – he’s his own biggest fan. So it’s fitting that when he spoke at a basketball fundraising event yesterday, the self-centered Commander-in-Chief spent more than 3 seconds in the key of “me.”
“It is very rare I come to an event where I’m like the fifth or sixth most interesting person,” the president lamented to the crowd of supporters which included legend Michael Jordan and NBA commissioner David Stern. “Usually the folks want to take a picture with me, sit next to me, talk to me — that has not been the case at this event, and I completely understand.”
We get it, Mr. President – you weren’t the biggest star in the room. However will you survive?
In an attempt to further cement his rock star status as president cool and simultaneously raise funds for his reelection campaign, Obama held a fundraiser in New York last night where he shot hoops with supporters. The Obama Classic as it was called, featured a $20,000 per head dinner co-hosted by Michael Jordan. But, never one to leave the little guy out, the Obama fundraiser also contained an event for those for whom $20,000 was too steep (that’d be the majority of Americans, and in the suffering economy Obama is overseeing, potentially many more of us in the near future). For only $250, fans and supporters could obtain an autograph signing. But for those middle-of-the-road supporters, $5,000 earned them a spot at the basketball skills camp.
The event was initially promoted in an email to supporters earlier this month, in which the email cast this fundraiser as a once in a lifetime opportunity that will provide lifelong memories for its participants. “Hit the court with Patrick Ewing and Melo? Trade stories with the President? This is the kind of stuff your kids will tell their kids, and no one will believe it until you show them a photo,” the email said. The other stars in attendance were Hall of Fame player Patrick Ewing, former NBA player Alonzo Mourning, Sheryl Swoopes of the WNBA, and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This isn’t the first time the president has bemoaned not being the center of attention – last month he sent no less than four emails harassing begging supporters to contribute to his campaign and join him for his birthday party.
Maybe being surrounded by other important people and supporters last night eventually made the president feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If not, I’m sure supporters will hear about it in another email.
